Effects of cholecystectomy on gastric emptying and myoelectrical activity in man

To investigate the effects of cholecystectomy on gastric motor function, 13 patients with symptomatic gallstones were studied before and 8-12 months after surgery. Twelve healthy subjects entered the study as control group. The cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasound examination of gastric emptying were simultaneously performed at pre- and post-prandial states. The dominant gastric frequency and its coefficient of variation were not affected by surgery. After cholecystectomy, an increase in normal 3 cpm wave percentage and a decrease in power ratio were found (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Gastric emptying recorded after cholecystectomy was faster than before surgery (306.9 +/- 15.9 min vs 336.9 +/- 11.8 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Such changes were associated with the relief of symptoms, and the comparison between patients and controls showed a normalization of the gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying after surgery. In conclusion, in symptomatic patients, gallstones are associated with motor dysfunctions, and cholecystectomy seems to induce a normalization of gastrointestinal motility.