The effect of cholecystostomy upon subsequent roentgenologic appearance of the gallbladder.

Abstract

Thirty-Five, twenty-five, and even twenty years ago a considerable number of physicians and surgeons regarded cholecystostomy as preferable to cholecystectomy for chronic disease of the gallbladder. Inasmuch as present criteria for either operation differ considerably from those held previously (due to the availability of antibiotics and the development of improved anesthetic and operative procedures, as well as the fact that patients now avail themselves of medical care earlier), it is believed that there will be few opportunities in the future to study any appreciable number of patients in whom cholecystostomy has been followed, after a significant period of time, by cholecystography. Material And Methods This study presents the results of cholecystography in a series of 38 patients who had previously undergone cholecystostomy. In almost all instances, the operation had been performed originally for acute cholecystitis or empyema of the gallbladder. In none of these cases was it done as an elective or i...