[Ultrasonic findings of the cholecyst and biliary tract after gastrectomy]

Periodical ultrasonic findings were taken up to 1 year after operation in 207 gastric cancer patients and generation of gallstones after gastrectomy was examined. Abnormal ultrasonic findings were observed frequently in cases with advanced cancer and cases which received anticancer drugs, but operative procedures, reconstruction procedures and the degree of removal of lymph nodes did not significantly affect ultrasonic findings. Gallstone findings were observed from 3 months after operation. Among 18 of 135 cases (13.3%) with gallstone findings observed 12 months after operation, 10 had shifted from biliary debris and sludges to gallstones. In 53 cases which were able to be observed periodically from the preoperative period, 9 (17.0%) of gall stones were observed after 12 months, and 7 had shifted from biliary debris and sludges. In cases with abnormal ultrasonic findings, the serum GOT levels on day 1 and day 7, and GPT levels on day 1, day 7, and day 14 were significantly higher than the preoperative values. Hepatic dysfunction of the early postoperative stage and generation of biliary debris and sludges may play an important role in gallstone formation, and anticancer drugs after gastrectomy may have an aid of gallstone formation.