Ursodiol for Selected Patients with Post-Cholecystectomy Abdominal Pain—A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of ursodiol in the management of abdominal pain for patients with microlithasis in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy. Methods: We studied post-cholecystectomy patients with “idiopathic” right upper quadrant abdominal (RUQ) pain. These patients had both a negative abdominal ultrasound and an upper endoscopy examination. Bile was aspirated from these patients and examined for microlithasis. For those patients found to have microlithiasis in the common bile duct, ursodiol was then used in an attempt to control the abdominal pain. Results: Three patients were ultimately identified for the study. They were all female, middle aged, and had a cholecystectomy 1 to 3 years prior to being enrolled into the study. They all had RUQ abdominal pain, and one also had acute pancreatitis. They tried various different medications such as proton pump inhibitors, etc., without any alleviation of their symptoms. After using ursodiol for 6 months, all reported that their abdominal pain either improved or resolved. Conclusions: Ursodiol may be an ideal medication for management of patients with post-cholecystectomy abdominal pain and microlithasis. However, a randomized trial is needed in the future.