The Role of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Prevention of Post-Cholecystectomy Pain Prior the Elective Surgical Therapy of Chronic Cholecystitis

Introduction: Many upper G.I.T pathologies associated with cholecystitis such as gastritis, peptic ulcer hiatus hernia causes of persistence of upper abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia heartburn post cholecystectomy, so preoperative evaluation of upper GI by endoscopy may detect other co-morbidities that causes the same symptomatology in post cholecystectomy patients. Aim of this Study: To determine the co-incidence of gallstones with upper GI problems in patients who were candidate for elective cholecystectomy and its treatment role in decreasing post cholecystectomy pain. Patients and Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study that was conducted on on 92 casesof both sexes and any age, diagnosed ultrasonographically to have chronic calcular cholecystitis, who subjected to pre-operative evaluation including upper GI endoscopy. Results: Endoscopic study showed that 77.2% of the cases experienced upper GIT abnormalities as: Gastritis, esophagitis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer (gastric or duodenal) Normal GI endoscope was estimated among only 21 patients (22.8%). Conclusion: The use of esophagogastroduodenoscopyin patients with chronic calcularcholecystitis (pre-operatively) prior to elective cholecystectomy could be clinically helpful and also may be cost effective inprevention of post cholecystectomy syndrome.