Prophylactic cholecystectomy with gastric bypass operation: incidence of gallbladder disease

Background: Morbid obesity is one of the major risk factors for gallbladder disease, and this risk is even greater following rapid weight loss. Because of this, prophylactic cholecystectomy has been offered to our patients undergoing the transected silastic ring vertical Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (TSRVRYGBP). A study was undertaken to determine the incidence of pathologic gallbladders in patients undergoing this prophylactic cholecystectomy. Method: The records of all patients who underwent TSRVRYGBP from June 1999 through December 2000 were reviewed. Pathologic findings of the gallbladder were documented as cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, polyps or normal. Results: 761 patients underwent the operation. 178 patients (23%) had cholecystectomy before the surgery. 154 (20%) had gallstones documented by ultrasound and had cholecystectomy at the time of the surgery. 324 of the 429 patients with negative preoperative findings by ultrasound had pathologic evidence of gallbladder disease. Conclusion: Because of the high incidence of gallbladder disease even with negative preoperative findings in morbidly obese patients and the lack of significant morbidity with cholecystectomy in experienced hands, routine cholecystectomy at the time of the weight loss operation is justified.