A retrospective histopathological study of cholecystectomies

Abstract

Background: Gall bladder diseases are prevalent worldwide and present with a diverse clinical and histopathological spectrum. Cholelithiasis is associated with inflammatory as well as neoplastic diseases of the organ. This study was undertaken with a purpose to determine the demographic profile along with the diverse spectrum of histopathological lesions encountered in electively resected cholecystectomy specimens in this part of the world. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted on 732 cholecystectomy specimens received in the Department of Pathology of a Hospital Associated with a Medical College in Lucknow, over a period of 28 months from February 2012 to June 2014. Clinical details and histopathological data were retrieved from the hospital records. Results: There were 732 cases in total, consisting of 205 males (28.0%) and 527 females (72.0%). Male: female ratio was 1:2.6. Age of the patients ranged from 12 to 81 years with a mean age of 43.2 ± 13.3 years. Maximum number of patients were in fourth decade of life (27.2%). Cholelithiasis was present in 697 (95.2%) patients in total. Microscopically, the most common pathology noted was chronic cholecystitis, seen in 711 cases (97.1%). However, no cases of gall bladder carcinoma were evident. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need of a meticulous intra-operative as well as macroscopic examination to rule out gall bladder malignancy. It, however, in no way undermines the importance of a routine histopathological examination of all electively resected cholecystectomy specimens.