INDICATIONS FOR CHOLECYSTECTOMY

The operation of cholecystectomy has been accepted by experienced surgeons as the one of choice for most cases of gallbladder disease that in former years were simply drained. The literature of late has been filled with articles by many surgeons, the enthusiastic advocating cholecystectomy for all cases, the conservative decrying its general adoption. Believing it would be of interest and profit to find out the profession's attitude in regard to the indications for cholecystectomy, I have reviewed the literature extensively and have been in correspondence with forty-five experienced abdominal surgeons. In the letters sent out the following information was asked: What percentage of cases of cholecystostomy have had a recurrence of trouble following operation? Are you performing cholecystectomy more frequently than in the past? Have the results been better than when simple drainage was used? In what cases do you consider cholecystectomy the operation of choice? What are the contraindications