A Clinical Study of Cholelithiasis at a Tertiary Health Care Centre

Introduction: Cholelithiasis is the most common disease state involving the gallbladder and biliary tree. Gallstones become symptomatic only when they obstruct a visceral structure. In developing countries, there exists a trend toward an increasing prevalence of the risk factors for gallstone disease. Materials and Methods: Cases were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thereafter data collection was done by meticulous history taking, clinical examination, appropriate laboratory and radiological investigations, operative findings, and post operative evaluation of cases. Results: This study comprised of 52 cases. Female to male ratio was 15:11. The most common presenting complaint was pain in abdomen in 49 (94.23%) patients. On clinical examination most common sign was tenderness in 48 (92.31%) patients. Abdominal ultrasonography showed gallstones in all cases. Either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy was performed. Complications included wound infection, haemorrhage, and bile duct injury. On histo-pathological examination the most common finding was chronic Cholecystitis seen in 39 (75.00%) cases. Conclusion: The incidence of disease was more in females. The most common complaint was pain and the most common sign was tenderness. Abdominal ultrasonography should be imaging study of choice for suspected cases of cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice.