Conclusions
Cardiac transplant recipients demonstrate a higher risk of de novo cholelithiasis than the general population both before and after transplantation. Because of the high morbidity and mortality risk in the immediate posttransplant period, strong consideration needs to be given to pretransplant cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy is safe postoperatively as long as the allograft functions well and acute cholecystitis has not occurred. Annual surveillance for gallstones and cholecystectomy for asymptomatic gallstones are warranted.
Reprint Address
Correspondence: William S. Richardson, MD, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121. E-mail: wrichardson@ochsner.org
Annals of Surgery. 2003;237(2) © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Comments