Gallstones and gallbladder disorder after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

The incidence of gallbladder diseases, in particular of gallstones, was investigated in 268 cases during follow-up after resection of a gastric cancer. Factors investigated for correlation with any incidence included the extent of gastrectomy, reconstruction, and the degree of lymph node dissection. Moreover, in 20 of these, the contractile function test using a cerulein injection was performed, while in a further 6 cases, a sequential contractile function test with fatty meal was performed. The incidence of gallstones was 10.5% after total gastrectomy, 12.4% after distal gastrectomy. Debris was found in a further 6.7% after total gastrectomy and in 1.2% after distal gastrectomy. There was no difference in the incidence of gallstones among the reconstruction methods. With respect to lymph node dissection, the incidence of gallstone formation was 16.3% after D3 and 8.5% after D2-1. In the contractile function test, although the basal area was significantly larger after D3 than after D2-1, there was no difference in the contractile rate. The sequential contractile function test showed a peak contraction at 15 minutes after feeding with gradual refilling in both those after D3 and those after D2-1.