Postcholecystectomy Syndrome: Causes of Pain After Surgery
Postcholecystectomy syndrome is the umbrella term for similar or new symptoms after the gallbladder has been removed. The underlying cause is usually in the bile duct, the sphincter, or outside the biliary tract.
Common causes
- Retained bile-duct stone
- Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
- Bile-duct stricture
- Non-biliary causes such as reflux, gastritis, ulcer
- Pancreatitis
Workup
Detailed history, blood tests (liver and pancreas enzymes), ultrasound and, when needed, MRCP/EUS are used to identify the cause.
Treatment
Treatment targets the cause: ERCP, medical therapy, or rarely repeat surgery may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact & Information
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