Gallbladder Polyps: Sixty Patients and Literature Review

Objective: In this study, we aimed to share our clinical experience with gallbladder polyps. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on data obtained from the hospital records of 60 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy with the diagnosis of gallbladder polyp. Patient demographics, method of diagnosis, radiological and histopathological features and indications for surgery were evaluated and presented with a mini literature review. Results: The average age of patients was 45.7. In 26 patients, the diagnosis was made incidentally during ultrasound imaging performed for some other reason. The mean diameter of polyps was 7.3 mm as measured by ultrasonography. In 24 patients only one polyp existed while the remainders had two or more polyps determined by ultrasonography. In the order of frequency, the majority of polyps were located in the gallbladder corpus, fundus and the neck. Relevant studies have identified some risk factors for polyps. These may be listed as follows: Polyps 10 mm or greater in size, those single or sessile, those accompanied by irregularity or the thickening of adjacent gallbladder wall, rapid growth during follow-up and patient age over 50. Cholecystectomy is recommended in symptomatic patients as well as in those patients with one or more risk factors. For asymptomatic patients with no risk factors, surveillance by ultrasonographic follow-up is adequate. Conclusion: Before making a decision for surgery, all patients should be sought for risk factors to reduce unnecessary cholecystectomies and surgery related complications.