Being an ablation of the gallbladder leads to 50% additional chances of suffering from chronic gastrointestinal disorders, according to an international study led by the KU Leuven, whose results were published in the specialized GUT journal. Scientific research suggests that these ailments could even be caused by surgery, often carried out without sufficient certainty as to the cause of symptoms.
The study therefore calls for a more precise diagnosis in order to avoid unnecessary operations. The removal of the gallbladder – or in medical terms choling, is one of the most practiced surgical interventions in the world. It is often practiced on patients with gallstones, which cause digestive pain and disorders. However, a significant proportion of these people continue to have symptoms after the operation.
“Our data shows that on average 5% of the population has already undergone a removal of the gallbladder. Although this intervention generally takes place without incident, a significant number of patients subsequently suffer from gastrointestinal ailments,” explains the Ku Leuven Bo Konings researcher.
The study, based on data of more than 54,000 adults in 26 countries, notes that the risk of chronic gastrointestinal disorders from patients whose gallbladder has been removed is on average 50% higher than in people who have not undergone such an intervention. These are symptoms such as irritable colon syndrome, functional dyspepsia, diarrhea or fecal incontinence.
A plausible explanation would be that the removal of the gallbladder leads to a continuous and uncontrolled release of bile acids in the intestine. This can speed up their passage in the colon and cause cramps, pain and diarrhea difficult to control.
“These data demonstrate significant and often underestimated gastrointestinal ailments with people whose gallbladder has been withdrawn. This requires increased clinically attention,” pleads the Ku Leuven Lukas Michaja Besiger researcher.
Another hypothesis would be that some patients who have been removing the gallbladder already suffered before the intervention of this type of ill, which would therefore remain after the operation. “The gallbladder was certainly not the cause of their symptoms. For them, the intervention was useless,” said the gastroenterology professor of Ku Leuven, Jan Tack.
Scientists therefore recommend a more in -depth diagnosis and awareness of increased practitioners to the long -term potential consequences of this intervention. “Cholecystectomy is a safe operation, but the results show that the decision to proceed must be carefully considered,” insists Professor Tack.
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