management of chronic cholecystitis

Last reviewed 01/2018

In suspected chronic cholecystitis, if the clinical presentation is characteristic of gallbladder disease then no special investigations are necessary apart from ultrasonography to confirm the presence of gallstones. A less clear-cut presentation may necessitate more extensive investigation, e.g. upper GI endoscopy, serum amylase, etc.

The treatment of choice is a cholecystectomy. Patients are often put on a low fat diet prior to the operation. This may have two effects: relief of symptoms - presumably because of removal of stimulus of gallbladder contraction - and, if necessary, facilitation of weight loss.