A Study on Clinical Presentation and Management of Gall Stone Diseases in Vindhya Region of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Gallstone disease (GSD or cholelithiasis) is a significant health problem both in both developing and developed nations. It affects 10 to 15% of the adult population in western countries. They are asymptomatic in the majority of cases (>80 percent). Approximately, 1- 2 per cent of asymptomatic patients will develop symptoms requiring surgery per year, making cholecystectomy one of the most common operations performed by general surgeons.1The prevalence of gallbladder stones varies widely in different communities in India, the North Indians having 2-4 fold higher prevalence as compared with those among South Indians. Furthermore, there is a predominance of cholesterol gallstones among the North Indians. In contrast, South Indians have a predominance of pigment gallstones both in the gallbladder and the CBD.2There are many researches on aetiology, clinical presentation, management specifically evaluating the modalities of treatment but chemical analysis and bile culture though age old investigations were not given much importance in spite that they could give an insight into pathogenesis and presentation. Incidence in India partially attributed to widespread use of ultrasonography (USG) in the last two decades but changing socio-economic structure and changes in various other epidemiological factors including diet may also be responsible. In the present study apart from studying the epidemiology, i.e., demographic factors, dietary habits, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, the techniques of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy are compared and complications after surgery are studied in a population in Vindhya region. Where the cases of calculous GB disease are on the rise and pose a significant economic burden on the society.