Burden of gallstone disease in the United States population:Prepandemic rates and trends

BACKGROUND Gallstone disease is one of the most common digestive disorders in the United States and leads to significant morbidity,mortality,and health care utilization.AIM To expand on earlier findings and investigate prepandemic rates and trends in the gallstone disease burden in the United States using national survey and claims databases.METHODS The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey,National Inpatient Sample,Nationwide Emergency Department Sample,Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample,Vital Statistics of the United States,Optum Clinformatics®Data Mart,and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare 5%Sample and Medicaid files were used to estimate claims-based prevalence,medical care including cholecystectomy,and mortality with a primary or other gallstone diagnosis.Rates were age-adjusted(for national databases)and shown per 100000 population.RESULTS Gallstone disease prevalence(claims-based,2019)was 0.70%among commercial insurance enrollees,1.03%among Medicaid beneficiaries,and 2.09%among Medicare beneficiaries and rose over the previous decade.Recently,in the United States population,gallstone disease contributed to approximately 2.2 million ambulatory care visits,1.2 million emergency department visits,625000 hospital discharges,and 2000 deaths annually.Women had higher medical care rates with a gallstone disease diagnosis,but mortality rates were higher among men.Hispanics had higher ambulatory care visit and hospital discharge rates compared with Whites,but not mortality rates.Blacks had lower ambulatory care visit and mortality rates,but similar hospital discharge rates compared with whites.During the study period,ambulatory care and emergency department visit rates with a gallstone disease diagnosis rose,while hospital discharge and mortality rates declined.Among commercial insurance enrollees,rates were higher compared with national data for ambulatory care visits and hospitalizations,but lower for emergency department visits.Cholecystectomies performed in the United States included 605000 ambulatory laparoscopic,280000 inpatient laparoscopic,and 49000 inpatient open procedures annually.Among commercial insurance enrollees,rates were higher compared with national data for laparoscopic procedures.CONCLUSION The gallstone disease burden in the United States is substantial and increasing,particularly among women,Hispanics,and older adults with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the mainstay treatment.Current practice patterns should be monitored for better health care access.

Metabolic syndrome and gallstone disease

AIM： To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome （NetS） and the development of gallstone disease （GSD）. METHODS： A cross-sectional study was conducted in 7570 subjects （4978 men aged 45.0：1：8.8 years, and 2592 women aged 45.3：1：9.5 years） enrolled from the physical check-up center of the hospital. The subjects included 918 patients with gallstones （653 men and 265 women） and 6652 healthy controls （4325 men and 2327 women） without gallstones. Body mass index （BII）, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose （FPG） and serum lipids and lipoproteins levels were measured. Colorimetric method was used to measure cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cho- lesterol （HDL-C） and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Dextrose oxidizing enzyme method was used to measure FPG. Subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire that enquired about the information on demographic data, age, gender, histories of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic liver disease and so on. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the Adult Treatment Panel HI （ATP ]3） criteria. Gall- stones were defined by the presence of strong intralu- minal echoes that were gravity-dependent or attenu- ated ultrasound transmission. RESULTS： Among the 7570 subjects, the prevalence of the gallstone disease was 12.1% （13.1% in men and 10.2% in women）. BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and serum triglyceride （TG） in cases group were higher than in controls, while serum high-density lipid was lower than in controls. There were significant differences in the waist circumference, blood pressure, FPG and TG between cases and controls. In an age- adjusted logistic regression model, metabolic syndrome was associated with gallstone disease. The age-adjust- ed odds ratio of MetS for GSD in men was 1.29 [95% confidence interval （CI）, 1.09-1.52; P = 0.0030], and 1.68 （95% CI, 1.26-2.25; P = 0.0004） in women; the overall age-adjusted odds ratio of NetS for GSD was 1.42 （95% CI, 1.23-1.64; P 〈 0.0001）. The men with more metabolic disorders had a higher prevalence of gallstone disease, the trend had statistical significance （P 〈 0.0001）. The presence of 5 components of the MetS increased the risk of gallstone disease by 3.4 times （P 〈 0.0001）. The prevalence of GSD in women who had 5 components of NetS was 5 times higher than in those without Nets component. The more the components of Mets, the higher the prevalence of GSD （P 〈 0.0001）. The presence of 5 components of the Mets increased the risk of gallstone disease by 4.0 times. CONCLUSION： GSD appears to be strongly associated with MetS, and the more the components of NetS, the higher the prevalence of GSD.

Incidence of gallstone disease in Italy:Results from a multicenter,population-based Italian study (the MICOL project)

AIM:To evaluate gallstone incidence and risk factors in a large population-based study. METHODS: Gallstone incidence and risk factors, were evaluated by structured questionnaire and physical examination, respectively, in 9611 of 11 109 (86.5%) subjects who were gallstone-free at the cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Six centers throughout Italy enrolled 9611 subjects (5477 males, 4134 females, aged 30-79 years), 9517 of whom were included into analysis: 424 subjects (4.4%) had gallstones and 61 (0.6%) had been cholecystectomized yielding a cumulative incidence of 0.67% per year (0.66% in males, 0.81% in females). Increasing age, a high body mass index (BMI), a history of diabetes, peptic ulcer and angina, and low cholesterol and high triglyceride levels were identifi ed as risk factors in men while, in females, the only risk factors were increasing age and a high BMI.Increasing age and pain in the right hypocondrium in men and increasing age in females were identifi ed as predictors of gallstones. Pain in the epigastrium/ right hypocondrium was the only symptom related to gallstones; furthermore, some characteristics of pain (forcing to rest, not relieved by bowel movements) were significantly associated with gallstones. No correlation was found between gallstone characteristics and clinical manifestations, while increasing age in men and increasing age and BMI in females were predictors of pain. CONCLUSION:Increasing age and BMI represent true risk factors for gallstone disease (GD); pain in the right hypocondrium and/or epigastrium is confi rmed as the only symptom related to gallstones.

Gender and metabolic differences of gallstone diseases

AIM： To investigate the risk factors for gallstone disease in the general population of Chengdu, China. METHODS： This study was conducted at the West China Hospital. Subjects who received a physical examination at this hospital between January and December 2007 were included. Body mass index, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, serum lipid and lipoproteins concentrations were analyzed. Gallstone disease was diagnosed by ultrasound or on the basis of a history of cholecystectomy because of gallstone disease. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for gallstone disease, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze differences in the incidence of metabolic disorders between subjects with and without gallstone disease. RESULTS： A total of 3573 people were included, 10.7% （384/3573） of whom had gallstone diseases. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the incidence of gallstone disease in subjects aged 40-64 or ≥65 years was significantly different from that in those aged 18-39 years （P 〈 0.05）; the incidence was higher in women than in men （P 〈 0.05）. In men,a high level of fasting plasma glucose was obvious in gallstone disease （P 〈 0.05）, and in women, hypertriglyceridemia or obesity were significant in gallstone disease （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： We assume that age and sex are profoundly associated with the incidence of gallstone disease; the metabolic risk factors for gallstone disease were different between men and women.

Clinical correlation of gallstone disease in a Chinese population in Taiwan:Experience at Cheng Hsin General Hospital

AIM： TO explore the prevalence of gallstone disease （GSD） in Taiwan and condition-associated factors related to it. METHODS： We studied a total of 2386 healthy adults （1235 males and 1151 females） voluntarily admitted to Cheng Hsin General Hospital for a paid physical check-up between January 2002 and December 2002. Blood samples and ultrasound sonography results were collected. RESULTS： The overall prevalence of GSD among this study-population was 5.3%, including 1.7% （n=40） having a single stone, 2.3% （n = 55） having multiple stones, and 1.3% （n = 31） having cholecystectomy. The prevalence revealed a statistically significant increase with increasing age （P〈 0.0001）. Females exhibited a greater prevalence of multiple stones than did males （3.0% vs 1.7%, P= 0.04）. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the following appeared to be significantly related to the prevalence of GSD： older age （40-49 years vs 〈40 years, OR= 1.63 [95% CI： 0.76-3.48], 50-59 years vs 〈40 years, OR=4.93 [95% CI： 2.43-9.99], 60-69 years vs 〈40 years, OR = 6.82 [95% CI： 3.19-14.60], ≥70 years vs 〈40 years, OR= 10.65 [95% CI： 4.78-23.73]）, higher BMI （≥27 kg/m^2 vs 〈24 kg/m^2, adjusted OR= 1.74 [95% CI： 1.04-2.88]）, and higher FPG （≥ 126 mg/dL vs 〈110 mg/dL, OR= 1.71, 95% CI： 1.01-2.96）. CONCLUSION： Older age （≥50 years）, obesity （BMI ≥ 27 kg/m^2）, and type 2 diabetes （FPG ≥126 mg/dL） are associated with the prevalence of GSD.

Association of caveolin-3 and cholecystokinin A receptor with cholesterol gallstone disease in mice

AIM: To investigate the role of caveolin-3 (CAV3) and cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) in cholesterol gallstone disease (CGD).

A population-based cohort study of symptomatic gallstone disease in diabetic patients

AIM:To investigate the prevalence of gallstone dis-ease(GSD) and to evaluate the risk of symptomatic GSD among diabetic patients.METHODS:The study was conducted by analyzing the National Health Research Institutes(NHRI) dataset of ambulatory care patients,inpatient claims,and the updated registry of beneficiaries from 2000 to 2008.A total of 615 532 diabetic patients without a prior history of hospital treatment or ambulatory care visits for symptomatic GSD were identified in the year 2000.Age-and gender-matched control individuals free from both GSD and diabetes from 1997 to 1999 were randomly selected from the NHIR database(n = 614 871).The incidence densities of symptomatic GSD were estimated according to the subjects' diabetic status.The distributions of age,gender,occupation,income,and residential area urbanization were compared between diabetic patients and control subjects using Cox proportion hazards models.Differences between the rates of selected comorbidities were also assessed in the two groups.RESULTS:Overall,60 734 diabetic patients and 48 116 control patients developed symptomatic GSD and underwent operations,resulting in cumulative operation rates of 9.87% and 7.83%,respectively.The age and gender distributions of both groups were similar,with a mean age of 60 years and a predominance of females.The diabetic group had a significantly higher prevalence of all comorbidities of interest.A higher incidence of symptomatic GSD was observed in females than in males in both groups.In the control group,females under the age of 64 had a significantly higher incidence of GSD than the corresponding males,but this difference was reduced with increasing age.The cumulative incidences of operations for symptomatic GSD in the diabetic and control groups were 13.06 and 9.52 cases per 1000 person-years,respectively.Diabetic men exhibited a higher incidence of operations for symptomatic GSD than did their counterparts in the control group(12.35 vs 8.75 cases per 1000 person-years).CONCLUSION:The association of diabetes with increased symptomatic GSD may provide insight to the treatment or management of diabetes in clinical settings.

Expression profile of cholecystokinin type-A receptor in gallbladder cancer and gallstone disease

BACKGROUND:Regulatory peptide receptors have attracted the interest of oncologists as a new promising approach for cancer pathology,imaging and therapy.Although cholecystokinin (CCK) is a potent modulator of gallbladder contractility and plays a potential role in pancreatic carcinogenesis through CCK type-A receptor (CCKAR),its role in gallbladder cancer (GBC) is still unknown and immunohistochemical detection of CCKAR in the gallbladder has not yet been reported.This novel case-control study aimed to investigate the expression profile of CCKAR in GBC and gallstone disease (GSD).METHODS:This study included 162 samples of gallbladder:94 from GBC and 68 from GSD.Expression of CCKAR was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting.The results were statistically correlated with disease history including age,sex,presence of gallstone,stage and differentiation.RESULTS:CCKAR was positive in 30/68 (44.1%) of GSD and 72/94 (76.6%) of GBC samples.Fifty-one of the 72 (70.8%) CCKAR-positive GBC samples showed over-expression.Interestingly,consistent results also appeared in the immunoblotting study.CONCLUSIONS:CCKAR expression was significantly increased in GBC compared to GSD.Moreover,CCKAR expression was associated with the degree of tumor differentiation,i.e.,less expression in poorly-differentiated tumors.Thus,it has future prognostic and therapeutic implications in the management of GBC.

A population-based follow-up study on gallstone disease among type 2 diabetics in Kinmen,Taiwan

AIM： To assess the incidence of and risk factors for gallstone disease （GSD） among type 2 diabetics in Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS： A screening program for GSD was performed by two specialists who employed real-time abdominal ultrasound to examine the abdominal region after patients had fasted for at least eight hours. Screening, which was conducted in 2001, involved 848 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After exclusion of 63 subjects with prevalent GSD, 377 participants without GSD were invited in 2002 for a second round of screening. A total of 281 （74.5%） subjects were re-examined. RESULTS： Among the 281 type 2 diabetics who had no GSD at the first screening, 10 had developed GSD by 2002. The incidence was 3.56% per year （95%CI： 1.78% per year-6.24% per year）. Using a Cox regression model, age （RR = 1.07, 95% CI： 1.00-1.14）, waist circumference （RR = 1.12, 95% CI： 1.01-1.29）, and ALT （RR = 1.13, 95%CI： 1.01-1.26） appeared to be significantly correlated with development of GSD. CONCLUSION： Older age is a known risk factor for the development of GSD. Our study shows that greater waist circumference and elevated ALT levels are also associated with the development of GSD among type 2 diabetics in Kinmen.

Gallbladder function and dynamics of bile flow in asymptomatic gallstone disease

AIM： To investigate the effects of gallbladder stones on motor functions of the gallbladder and the dynamics of bile flow in asymptomatic gallstone disease. METHODS： Quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed to detect the parameters of gallbladder motor function [gallbladder ejection fraction （GBEF）, gallbladder visualization time （GBVT）, gallbladder time to peak activity （GBTmax）, gallbladder half emptying time （GBT1/2）, and transit time of bile to duodenum （TTBD）] in 24 patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis who were diagnosed incidentally during routine abdominal ultrasonographic examination and 20 healthy subjects with normal gallbladder. RESULTS： Even though there was no significant difference in the clinical and laboratory parameters between the patient and control groups, all parameters of gallbladder function except TTBD were found to differ significantly between the two groups. GBEF in the patient group was decreased （P = 0.000） and GBVT, GBT GBT1/2 in the patient group were longer （P = 0.000, P = 0.015, P = 0.001, respectively）.there were not any clinical and laboratory findings, gallbladder filling and emptying could be impaired in patients with gallstone disease.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for complex gallstone disease: A report of five cases

AIM:To describe the use of hand-assisted laparoscopic surg-ery(HALS) as an alternative to open conversion for complex gall-stone diseases, including Mirizzi syndrome (MS) and mimic MS. METHODS: Five patients with MS and mimic MS of 232 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecyst-ectomies were analyzed. HALS without a hand-port device was performed as an alternative to open conversion if the anatomy was still unclear after the neck of the gallbladder was reached. RESULTS: HALS was performed on three patients with MS type I and 2 with mimic MS owing to an unclear or abnormal anatomy, or an unusual circumstance in which an impacted stone was squeezed out from the infundibulum or the aberrant cystic duct impossible with laparoscopic approach. The median operative time was 165 min (range, 115-190 min). The median hand-assisted time was 75 min (range, 65-100 min). The median postoperative stay was 4 d (range, 3-5 d). The postoperative course was uneventful, except for 1 patient complicated with a minor incision infection. CONCLUSION: HALS for MS type I and mimic MS is safe and feasible. It simplifies laparoscopic procedure, and can be used as an alternative to open conversion for complex gallstone diseases.

Serum insulin, insulin resistance, p-cell dysfunction, and gallstone disease among type 2 diabetics in Chinese population: A community-based study in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore the association of serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction with gallstone disease (GSD) in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: We used a community-based study conducted between 1991 and 1993 in Kinmen, Taiwan to identify type 2 diabetics. A screening program for GSD was performed in 2001 by a panel of specialists who employed real-time ultrasound sonography to examine the abdominal region after the patient had fasted for at least 8 h. Screening was conducted in 2001 on 848 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The HOMA method was used to compare the profile differences for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and β-cell dysfunction (HOMA β-cell). RESULTS: We studied 440 type 2 diabetics who attended sonography check-ups. After excluding eight insulin-treated diabetics, the prevalence of GSD among the remaining 432 was 13.9% (26/187) among males and 14.7% (36/245) among females. After adjustment for other GSD-associated risk factors in addition to age and obesity, GSD risk increased among females with levels of serum insulin [4th vs 1st quartile odds ratios (OR) = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)] and HOMA IR [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)]. Better HOMA β-cell function was significantly related to decreased risk of GSD [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 0.16 (95%CI: 0.03-1.70)]. Among males, age and central obesity were the most significant risk factors for GSD. No association of GSD with serum insulin, HOMA IR, and HOMA β-cell was observed among males. CONCLUSION: Serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction are risk factors for GSD in females, but not males with type 2 diabetes.

YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease

AIM: To investigate the quality of YouTube videos on gallstone disease and to assess viewer response according to quality.

Impact of metabolic disorders on gallstone disease and perioperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background:Gallstone disease(GSD),nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease(MAFLD),and metabolic syndrome(MetS)are common medical disorders worldwide.This study aimed to ascertain how NAFLD,MAFLD,MetS,and other factors affect the development of GSD,and how the GSD-associated factors influence patient recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC).Methods:We included 200 patients who were diagnosed with GSD and underwent LC between January 2017 and February 2022.A total of 200 subjects without GSD and“non-calculous causes”during the same period were also included as controls.We compared the metabolic disorder differences between GSD patients and controls.Furthermore,we sub-grouped patients based on the comorbidities of preoperative NAFLD,MAFLD,and MetS,and compared the impacts of these comorbidities on short-term post-LC functional recovery of the patients.Results:The prevalence of NAFLD and MetS were higher in GSD patients(P<0.05).Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis,hyperglycemia[odds ratio(OR)=2.2,95%confidence interval(CI):1.4–3.4,P=0.001]and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)level(OR=1.8,95%CI:1.1–3.1,P=0.048)were linked to GSD.NAFLD and MetS linked to liver enzymes after LC(P<0.05).MetS also linked to the levels of inflammatory indicators after LC(P<0.05).The obesity,hyperlipidemia,low HDLC level,and hyperglycemia linked to liver enzymes after LC(P<0.05).Hyperlipidemia,low HDL-C level,and hypertension linked to inflammation after LC(P<0.05).Conclusions:The prevalence of GSD may be linked to NAFLD and MetS.Hyperglycemia and low HDL-C level were independent risk factors of GSD.

Analysis of Constitutional Factors in Patients with Gallstone Disease

Objective: To summarize the common constitutional types in patients with gallstone disease and analyze influencing factors. Research Hypothesis: Qi stagnation constitution may be a potential predisposing constitution for gallstone disease, whereas the Balanced Constitution and Yin deficiency constitution have a lower tendency towards the development of the disease;gallstone disease is more prevalent among young men engaged in mental labor. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 180 patients with gallstone disease who were hospitalized in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), from July 2017 to July 2023. Additionally, 180 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations at the Health Examination Center of the same hospital were selected as the normal control group. Both groups underwent general condition surveys, TCM constitution scales, Eysenck Personality Questionnaires, Brief Coping Styles Questionnaires, and Social Support Rating Scales to determine risk factors and common types. Results: Independent variables such as gender, Qi stagnation constitution, Balanced Constitution, negative coping scores, positive coping scores, and stressful life events were included in the model. The OR values for Balanced Constitution, gender, positive coping style, and overall social support were all less than 1, and the maximum value of the 95% confidence interval was also less than 1. After selecting the intercept into the model and analyzing the standardized regression coefficients, it was found that negative coping scores had a significant impact on the model, while stressful life events showed extremely high relevance to the study. Compared with the normal group, the frequency of Qi stagnation constitution in the study group significantly increased, with a significant difference (P χ2 = 11.109, P = 0.0009, indicating a significant difference (P χ2 = 4.0890, P = 0.0432, indicating a significant difference (P 0.05). However, when comparing mental workers with physical workers within the patient group, the frequency of Qi stagnation constitution in mental workers was significantly higher, with χ2 = 6.8467, P = 0.012, indicating a significant difference (P Conclusion: Qi stagnation constitution is a potential predisposing constitution for gallstone disease, whereas the tendency to develop the disease is relatively low for Balanced Constitution and Yin deficiency constitution. Gallstone disease is more commonly found in young male mental workers.

“One-day,one-stay,and one-step”lessons from the Danish guidelines for the treatment of gallstone disease

Introduction.Gallstone disease is prevalent worldwide,and the incidence in Europe increased over the last decades.The median prevalence ranges from 5.9%to 21.9%,with the highest rates seen in Norway(21.9%)and the eastern part of Germany(19.7%)and the lowest rates in Italy(<7%)(1).In The Netherlands,over 100,000 patients are diagnosed with symptomatic gallstones annually,costing around 250 million euros,ranking gallstones disease in the top 10 of the most prevalent and costly gastrointestinal disorders(2).

Bile acid signaling through farnesoid X and TGR5 receptors in hepatobiliary and intestinal diseases

BACKGROUND： The well-known functions of bile acids（BAs） are the emulsification and absorption of lipophilic xenobiotics. However, the emerging evidences in the past decade showed that BAs act as signaling molecules that not only autoregulate their own metabolism and enterohepatic recirculation, but also as important regulators of integrative metabolism by activating nuclear and membrane-bound G protein-coupled receptors. The present review was to get insight into the role of maintenance of BA homeostasis and BA signaling pathways in development and management of hepatobiliary and intestinal diseases.DATA SOURCES： Detailed and comprehensive search of PubM ed and Scopus databases was carried out for original and review articles.RESULTS： Disturbances in BA homeostasis contribute to the development of several hepatobiliary and intestinal disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, cholesterol gallstone disease, intestinal diseases and both hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma.CONCLUSION： Further efforts made in order to advance the understanding of sophisticated BA signaling network may be promising in developing novel therapeutic strategies related not only to hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal but also systemic diseases.

Prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease

AIM： To investigate the effect of chronic inflammatory bowel disease （CIBD） specific risk factors for cholecystolithiasis, as duration and involvement pattern of the disease and prior surgery in patients with Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS： A total of 222 patients with CD （135 females, 87 males, average age, 35.8±11.8 years; range 17-81 years） and 88 patients with UC （39 females, 49 males; average age, 37.2±13.6 years; range 16-81 years） underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations. Besides age, sex and degree of obesity, patients＇ CIBD specific parameters, including duration and extent of disease and prior operations were documented and evaluated statistically using logistic regression. RESLTLTS： The overall prevalence of gallbladder stone disease in patients with CD was 13% （n = 30）. Only age could be shown to be an independent risk factor （P = 0.014）. Compared to a collective representative for the general population in the same geographic region, the prevalence of cholecystolithiasis was higher in all corresponding age groups. Patients with UC showed an overall prevalence of gallbladder stone disease of only 4.6%. CONCLUSION：Only age but not disease-specific factors such as duration and extent of disease, and prior surgery are independent risk factors for the development of cholecystolithiasis in patients with CIBD.

Gallbladder bile composition in patients with Crohn's disease

AIM： To further elucidate the pathogenesis and mechanisms of the high risk of gallstone formation in Crohn＇s disease. METHODS： Gallbladder bile was obtained from patients with Crohn＇s disease who were admitted for elective surgery （27 with ileal/ileocolonic disease and 7 with Crohn＇s colitis）. Fourteen gallstone patients served as controls. Duodenal bile was obtained from ten healthy subjects before and after the treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. Bile was analyzed for biliary lipids, bile acids, bilirubin, crystals, and crystal detection time （CDT）. Cholesterol saturation index was calculated. RESULTS： The biliary concentration of bilirubin was about 50% higher in patients with Crohn＇s disease than in patients with cholesterol gallstones. Ten of the patients with Crohn＇s disease involving ileum and three of those with Crohn＇s colitis had cholesterol saturated bile. Four patients with ileal disease and one of those with colonic disease displayed cholesterol crystals in their bile. About 1/3 of the patients with Crohn＇s disease had a short CDT. Treatment of healthy subjects with ursodeoxycholic acid did not increase the concentration of bilirubin in duodenal bile. Several patients with Crohn＇s disease, with or without ileal resection/disease had gallbladder bile supersaturated with cholesterol and short CDT and contained cholesterol crystals. The biliary concentration of bilirubin was also increased in patients with Crohn＇s colitis probably not due to bile acid malabsorption. CONCLUSION： Several factors may be of importance for the high risk of developing gallstones of both cholesterol and pigment types in patients with Crohn＇s disease.The skillful technical assistance of Ms Lisbet Benthin and Ms Ingela Arvidsson is acknowledged.

Awake laparoscopic cholecystectomy:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is one of the most widely practiced surgical procedures in abdominal surgery.Patients undergo LC during general anaesthesia;however,in recent years,several studies have suggested the ability to perform LC in patients who are awake.We report a case of awake LC and a literature review.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old patient with severe pulmonary disease affected by cholelithiasis was scheduled for LC under regional anaesthesia.We first performed peridural anaesthesia at the T8-T9 level and then spinal anaesthesia at the T12-L1 level.The procedure was managed in total comfort for both the patient and the surgeon.The intra-abdominal pressure was 8 mmHg.The patient remained stable throughout the procedure,and the postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION Evidence has warranted the safe use of spinal and epidural anaesthesia,with minimal side effects easily managed with medications.Regional anaesthesia in selected patients may provide some advantages over general anaesthesia,such as no airway manipulation,maintenance of spontaneous breathing,effective postoperative analgesia,less nausea and vomiting,and early recovery.However,this technique for LC is not widely used in Europe;this is the first case reported in Italy in the literature.Regional anaesthesia is feasible and safe in performing some types of laparoscopic procedures.Further studies should be carried out to introduce this type of anaesthesia in routine clinical practice.