Prevention of Gallstone Formation After Gastrectomy

The adverse effects of vagotomy and the association of gastric distension with biliary physiology have been appreciated for decades. More recently, risk factors for the development of gallstones after gastrectomy have been described. In addition, the first prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial of the use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to prevent gallstones after gastrectomy was published 25 years ago. However, that study and the vast majority of subsequent research have been performed for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Thus, the study by Lee et al in this issue of JAMA Surgery is unique because it was performed for patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
Source: JAMA Surgery - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research