Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis
Asymptomatic gallstones are found in approximately 10%–20% of the adult population, with only 1%–4% developing symptoms annually. Although complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis may occur, the overall risk remains low. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, though effective...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | NMO Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JNMO.JNMO_10_25 |
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| _version_ | 1849394005411889152 |
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| author | Chiranjiva Khandelwal Utpal Anand Kislay Kant |
| author_facet | Chiranjiva Khandelwal Utpal Anand Kislay Kant |
| author_sort | Chiranjiva Khandelwal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Asymptomatic gallstones are found in approximately 10%–20% of the adult population, with only 1%–4% developing symptoms annually. Although complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis may occur, the overall risk remains low. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, though effective with a >95% success rate, carries a morbidity of ~2%–6% and a mortality risk of <0.5%, making routine surgery unwarranted in most asymptomatic individuals. Observation is recommended in most cases. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is considered for high-risk groups, including patients with gallstones >2–3 cm, those with sickle cell disease or candidates for bariatric or organ transplant surgery. While the risk of gall bladder cancer in asymptomatic cholelithiasis is <0.3%, enhanced surveillance is advised in regions with high cancer prevalence. Routine cholecystectomy for cancer prevention is not supported by current evidence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-451fab3a38094eb095f7e5144873344d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2348-3806 2950-5933 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NMO Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-451fab3a38094eb095f7e5144873344d2025-08-20T03:40:13ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNMO Journal2348-38062950-59332025-01-01191546010.4103/JNMO.JNMO_10_25Management of Asymptomatic CholelithiasisChiranjiva KhandelwalUtpal AnandKislay KantAsymptomatic gallstones are found in approximately 10%–20% of the adult population, with only 1%–4% developing symptoms annually. Although complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis may occur, the overall risk remains low. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, though effective with a >95% success rate, carries a morbidity of ~2%–6% and a mortality risk of <0.5%, making routine surgery unwarranted in most asymptomatic individuals. Observation is recommended in most cases. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is considered for high-risk groups, including patients with gallstones >2–3 cm, those with sickle cell disease or candidates for bariatric or organ transplant surgery. While the risk of gall bladder cancer in asymptomatic cholelithiasis is <0.3%, enhanced surveillance is advised in regions with high cancer prevalence. Routine cholecystectomy for cancer prevention is not supported by current evidence.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JNMO.JNMO_10_25cholelithiasisgallstonemanagement |
| spellingShingle | Chiranjiva Khandelwal Utpal Anand Kislay Kant Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis NMO Journal cholelithiasis gallstone management |
| title | Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis |
| title_full | Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis |
| title_fullStr | Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis |
| title_short | Management of Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis |
| title_sort | management of asymptomatic cholelithiasis |
| topic | cholelithiasis gallstone management |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JNMO.JNMO_10_25 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chiranjivakhandelwal managementofasymptomaticcholelithiasis AT utpalanand managementofasymptomaticcholelithiasis AT kislaykant managementofasymptomaticcholelithiasis |