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YOUNGER PATIENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER POST‐CHOLECYSTECTOMY DIARRHOEA
Author(s) -
Fisher M.,
Tong L. K.,
Spilias D. C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04119_30.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bloating , constipation , cholecystectomy , univariate analysis , irritable bowel syndrome , multivariate analysis , diarrhea , gastroenterology
Purpose Fatty food intolerance and diarrhoea (PCD) are increasingly being recognised as distressing postoperative sequels in a proportion of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Understanding of PCD, its predisposing factors and associated symptoms is important for both consent and postoperative management. Methodology 100 consecutive patients underwent chart review and telephone contact. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect data on age; sex; weight/BMI; pre‐ and post‐operative bowel habits, bloating, pain, dietary intolerance, dietary modification and patient satisfaction. Patients were divided into two categories, those with and those without PCD. Groups were compared using t‐test and univariate analysis to determine significance at p‐value of 0.05. Results Two patients were excluded due to preoperative diarrhoea (2%). PCD, defined by changes in consistency and frequency of bowel actions (p = 0.0004), was observed in 17 of 98 patients (17%). PCD was associated with younger age (p = 0.014), higher weight (p = 0.041), less bloating preoperatively (p = 0.045) and higher likelihood of bloating postoperatively (p = 0.048). There was no statistically significant correlation with dietary intolerance, dietary modification or patient satisfaction. 7 patients (7%) reported postoperative constipation or resolution of pre‐existing diarrhoea. Conclusions Subjective PCD and dyspeptic symptoms correlate with measurable differences in bowel habits. Younger patients are significantly more likely to develop PCD and should specifically be warned of this possibility.