Postcholecystectomy Syndrome

Updated: November 6, 2024

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Background

Postcholecystectomy Syndrome (PCS) include symptoms persist or emerge post-gallbladder removal surgery.

Symptoms may be caused by gallbladder issues or new symptoms commonly associated with gallbladder problems. The symptoms of gastrointestinal and biliary issues can arise years post-surgery.

PCS recognized in early 20th century with cholecystectomy common for gallstones and cholecystitis management.

PCS is a preliminary diagnosis based on improper bile flow. It should be renamed to reflect the underlying disease detected.

Problems can arise from excessive bile flow into upper GI tract causes esophagitis and gastritis.

Diarrhea and abdominal pain are common lower GI symptoms related to PCS.

Epidemiology

PCS affects 10-40% of patient’s post-surgery. It is more common in middle-aged women and those with gastrointestinal disorders.

Incidence of PCS ranges from 5-30%, with 10-15% considered the most reasonable estimate.

Patients with preoperative psychiatric disorder have a higher chance of organic cause of PCS compared to patients without.

Patients with shorter preoperative symptom duration have lower risk develops PCS post-surgery.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

Bile from gallbladder may cause PCS in patients with mild symptoms. Removal of the gallbladder changes bile flow and circulation.

Initial PCS research emphasized visually detectable anatomic abnormalities during exploratory surgery.

Advancements in technology and imaging have enhanced comprehension of biliary tract disorders in patients.

PCS complexity includes bile dynamics, motility disorders, and gastrointestinal disturbances changes.

Gallbladder removal can resolve gallstone symptoms but may cause new issues thorough diagnostic and treatment plan.

Etiology

The causes of PCS are:

Biliary Causes

Non-Biliary Causes

Surgical Factors

Psychosocial Factors

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

Results and outlook depend on patients, conditions, and performed operations in healthcare.

PCS prognosis depends on cause and treatment. Proper identification and treatment lead to relief.

SOD patients prone to RUQ pain may need sphincterotomy or stenting for symptom relief uncertainty.

Successful treatment with antibiotics improves prognosis but recurrence is common if not addressed.

Clinical History

Collect details including presenting symptoms and surgical history to understand clinical history of patient.

Physical Examination

Skin Examination

Abdominal Examination

Gastrointestinal examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Acute symptoms are:

Sudden right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, guarding, fever, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Chronic symptoms are:

Chronic diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, intermittent abdominal discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

Differential Diagnoses

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Biliary Stricture

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Bile Acid Malabsorption

Hepatitis

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

Postcholecystectomy syndrome is temporary. Diagnosis is usually organic or functional after workup.

Follow the established diagnosis for appropriate medical or surgical treatment for best results.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome show improvement with bulking agents, antispasmodics, or sedatives.

Irritable sphincter may require high-dose calcium-channel blockers or nitrates.

H2 blockers and PPIs may help GERD or gastritis symptoms in some patients.

Avoid exploratory surgery for patients abusing alcohol or narcotics until substance abuse stops.

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

use-of-non-pharmacological-approach-for-postcholecystectomy-syndrome

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should be consumed to improve health.

Patient should make changes in homes environment to increase safety and accessibility.

Reduce night-time reflux to prevent bile from flowing back into the stomach.

Proper awareness about PCS should be provided and its related causes with management strategies.

Appointments with a physician and preventing recurrence of disorder is an ongoing life-long effort.

Use of Bulking Agents

Psyllium:

It increases the content of feces to promote bacterial growth.

Use of Antispasmodic Agents

Atropine:

It blocks acetylcholine activity at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscles and secretory glands.

Use of Bile Acid Sequestrants

Cholestyramine:

It binds with bile acids to reduce damage to the intestinal mucosa.

Colestipol:

It increases fecal loss of bile acid–bound low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Use of Histamine H2 Antagonists

Nizatidine:

It inhibits histamine at the H2 receptor of the gastric parietal cells,

Cimetidine:

It blocks H2 receptors to inhibit gastric secretions.

Use of Proton pump inhibitors

Pantoprazole:

It decreases gastric acid secretion to inhibit the parietal cell H+/K+ -ATP pump.

Esomeprazole:

It inhibits gastric acid secretion at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cells.

Omeprazole:

It is used for short-term and long-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

use-of-intervention-with-a-procedure-in-treating-postcholecystectomy-syndrome

Surgery for PCS is recommended for known causes that respond well to operative intervention.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used for diagnosis and treatment.

use-of-phases-in-managing-postcholecystectomy-syndrome

In the initial treatment phase, evaluation of surgical history, physical examination and diagnostic testing to confirm diagnosis.

Pharmacologic therapy is effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of bulking agents, antispasmodic agents, bile acid sequestrants, and proton pump inhibitors.

In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and surgical intervention.

The regular follow-up visits with the physician are scheduled to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.

Medication

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Postcholecystectomy Syndrome

Updated : November 6, 2024

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Postcholecystectomy Syndrome (PCS) include symptoms persist or emerge post-gallbladder removal surgery.

Symptoms may be caused by gallbladder issues or new symptoms commonly associated with gallbladder problems. The symptoms of gastrointestinal and biliary issues can arise years post-surgery.

PCS recognized in early 20th century with cholecystectomy common for gallstones and cholecystitis management.

PCS is a preliminary diagnosis based on improper bile flow. It should be renamed to reflect the underlying disease detected.

Problems can arise from excessive bile flow into upper GI tract causes esophagitis and gastritis.

Diarrhea and abdominal pain are common lower GI symptoms related to PCS.

PCS affects 10-40% of patient’s post-surgery. It is more common in middle-aged women and those with gastrointestinal disorders.

Incidence of PCS ranges from 5-30%, with 10-15% considered the most reasonable estimate.

Patients with preoperative psychiatric disorder have a higher chance of organic cause of PCS compared to patients without.

Patients with shorter preoperative symptom duration have lower risk develops PCS post-surgery.

Bile from gallbladder may cause PCS in patients with mild symptoms. Removal of the gallbladder changes bile flow and circulation.

Initial PCS research emphasized visually detectable anatomic abnormalities during exploratory surgery.

Advancements in technology and imaging have enhanced comprehension of biliary tract disorders in patients.

PCS complexity includes bile dynamics, motility disorders, and gastrointestinal disturbances changes.

Gallbladder removal can resolve gallstone symptoms but may cause new issues thorough diagnostic and treatment plan.

The causes of PCS are:

Biliary Causes

Non-Biliary Causes

Surgical Factors

Psychosocial Factors

Results and outlook depend on patients, conditions, and performed operations in healthcare.

PCS prognosis depends on cause and treatment. Proper identification and treatment lead to relief.

SOD patients prone to RUQ pain may need sphincterotomy or stenting for symptom relief uncertainty.

Successful treatment with antibiotics improves prognosis but recurrence is common if not addressed.

Collect details including presenting symptoms and surgical history to understand clinical history of patient.

Skin Examination

Abdominal Examination

Gastrointestinal examination

Acute symptoms are:

Sudden right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, guarding, fever, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Chronic symptoms are:

Chronic diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, intermittent abdominal discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Biliary Stricture

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Bile Acid Malabsorption

Hepatitis

Postcholecystectomy syndrome is temporary. Diagnosis is usually organic or functional after workup.

Follow the established diagnosis for appropriate medical or surgical treatment for best results.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome show improvement with bulking agents, antispasmodics, or sedatives.

Irritable sphincter may require high-dose calcium-channel blockers or nitrates.

H2 blockers and PPIs may help GERD or gastritis symptoms in some patients.

Avoid exploratory surgery for patients abusing alcohol or narcotics until substance abuse stops.

Surgery, General

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should be consumed to improve health.

Patient should make changes in homes environment to increase safety and accessibility.

Reduce night-time reflux to prevent bile from flowing back into the stomach.

Proper awareness about PCS should be provided and its related causes with management strategies.

Appointments with a physician and preventing recurrence of disorder is an ongoing life-long effort.

Surgery, General

Psyllium:

It increases the content of feces to promote bacterial growth.

Surgery, General

Atropine:

It blocks acetylcholine activity at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscles and secretory glands.

Surgery, General

Cholestyramine:

It binds with bile acids to reduce damage to the intestinal mucosa.

Colestipol:

It increases fecal loss of bile acid–bound low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Surgery, General

Nizatidine:

It inhibits histamine at the H2 receptor of the gastric parietal cells,

Cimetidine:

It blocks H2 receptors to inhibit gastric secretions.

Surgery, General

Pantoprazole:

It decreases gastric acid secretion to inhibit the parietal cell H+/K+ -ATP pump.

Esomeprazole:

It inhibits gastric acid secretion at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cells.

Omeprazole:

It is used for short-term and long-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Surgery, General

Surgery for PCS is recommended for known causes that respond well to operative intervention.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used for diagnosis and treatment.

Surgery, General

In the initial treatment phase, evaluation of surgical history, physical examination and diagnostic testing to confirm diagnosis.

Pharmacologic therapy is effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of bulking agents, antispasmodic agents, bile acid sequestrants, and proton pump inhibitors.

In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and surgical intervention.

The regular follow-up visits with the physician are scheduled to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.

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