Changing Risk Factors and Surgical Outcomes of Cholecystectomy in Children Through the Years: Our 10-Year Experience

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the changing demographics and clinical characteristics of the children who underwent cholecystectomy. Method: Patients who underwent cholecystectomy between January 2010 and December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients in the first five years were defined as Group 1, in the last five years as Group 2. Demographics of the patients, surgical indications, risk factors of gallstone, surgical technique and complications were evaluated. Results: 149 patients were included in the study. 42 (28.2%) patients in Group 1 and 107 (71.8%) in Group 2. The age and gender distribution were similar between the groups. The most common indication for cholecystectomy in groups were gallstones. The most common risk factor for gallstones was hematological disease in Group 1 and obesity in Group 2. There were more symptomatic patients in Group 2 (p=0,000). Three patients had cholecystitis (7.14%) and 1 patient had pancreatitis (2.4%) in Group 1, 31 patients had cholecystitis (29%) and 11 patients had pancreatitis (10.3%) in Group 2. Having more cholecystitis in Group 2 was significant (p=0.003). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the common surgical method in groups (p=0.253). Complications were encountered in 5 patients (11.9%) in Group 1 (4 laparoscopic and 1 open), no complication was observed in Group 2.Conclusion: The incidence of biliary conditions that require cholecystectomy is increasing in childhood. In children with gallstones, more cholecystitis and pankreatitis have been observed in recent years. Increasing obesity has become the most important risk factor for gallstones. © Logos Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.