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The diagnosis and management of gall bladder in private patients in Harare
Insights
Gall bladder disease is increasingly common in Africans, often presenting with right upper quadrant pain or incidentally. Diagnosis is simple with ultrasound, and laparoscopic surgery is now the preferred treatment over traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Gall bladder disease prevalence is rising in African populations.
- Symptoms range from typical right upper quadrant pain to asymptomatic findings during routine examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnosis and treatment of gall bladder disease in Africans.
- To present findings from a study conducted in Harare.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis primarily utilizes ultrasound scans of the abdomen.
- Treatment has transitioned from open laparotomy and cholecystectomy to minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
Main Results:
- The Harare study identified chronic cholecystitis as a common diagnosis.
- Gall stones were predominantly cholesterol stones, with a smaller proportion of bilirubinate stones.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers reduced scarring and improved recovery compared to open surgery.
- Understanding the specific types of gall stones in this population can inform treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Gall bladder disease is getting more and more common in Africans. Some present with typical right upper quadrant pain but some are found on routine examination of the abdomen. The diagnosis is now very easy with ultrasound scan of the abdomen. The treatment used to be laparotomy and cholecystectomy but now is with laparoscopic surgery which leaves very little scarring. The results of the Harare study show chronic cholecystitis with cholesterol stones and very few bilirubinate stones.