Definitive surgical treatment of cholelithiasis in selective patients with liver cirrhosis.

A review of 132 cirrhotic patients with cholelithiasis was carried out. Of the 87 patients who underwent definitive surgical procedures for gallstones, patients of Child's A grade had less operative blood loss, blood transfusion and shorter hospital stay than those of B and C grades. No mortality in cirrhotic patients with Child's A and B grade was found in both emergency and elective surgery. Emergency operation in patients with Child's C grade resulted in more operative blood loss and requirement than elective surgery. Patients in this grade had also a higher morbidity rate and four deaths ensued. Of the 83 survivals after definitive procedures, 78 patients (93.9%) were still alive in the following 62.8 months without any biliary tract symptoms. Of patients who survived after cholecystolithotomy, 6 patients (33.3%) had recurrent stones in the same follow-up period. Therefore, we recommend that definitive biliary surgery be selectively carried out in cirrhotic patients in Child's A and B grade. However, a conservative approach is more suitable in Child's C patients in emergency conditions and definitive procedures should be considered when their liver function improves.