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Vagotogenic cholecystitis
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Truncal vagotomy can cause acute cholecystitis in dogs with gallstones. This complication was also seen in three patients, suggesting prophylactic gallbladder surgery alongside vagotomy when gallstones are present.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Truncal vagotomy is a surgical procedure to reduce stomach acid.
- Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are a common condition.
- The interaction between vagotomy and cholelithiasis is not well-understood.
Observation:
- Truncal vagotomy was observed to induce acute cholecystitis in dogs with gallstones.
- A similar clinical sequence was incidentally observed in three human patients.
Findings:
- The study establishes a link between truncal vagotomy and acute cholecystitis in the presence of gallstones.
- This complication appears to be reproducible in an animal model.
Implications:
- Patients undergoing truncal vagotomy with known cholelithiasis may require concurrent gallbladder intervention.
- Consider prophylactic cholecystectomy or other procedures to prevent post-vagotomy cholecystitis.