Recurrence after gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy for sand-like and non-sand-like gallstones: a comparative analysis

Objective To investigate the recurrence at 1- 3 years after laparoscopic cholecystolithotomy in patients with sand- like and non-sand- like gallstones. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 155 patients with gallstones who underwent gallbladder- preserving cholecystolithotomy in Air Force General Hospital,PLA from October 2012 to December 2014,and these patients were divided into sand- like stone group( 29 patients) and non- sand- like stone group( 126 patients). The recurrence of stones was observed at1- 3 years after surgery. The t- test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi- square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. Results The time of operation showed a significant difference between the sand- like stone group and the non- sand- like stone group( 126. 13 ± 20. 52 min vs 75. 64 ± 16. 58 min,t = 7. 709,P < 0. 001). At 1- 3 years after surgery,6 patients in the sand- like stone group and 8 in the non- sand- like stone group experienced recurrence,and the 2- and 3- year recurrence rates showed significant differences between the two groups( 2- year recurrence rate: 20. 69% vs 6. 35%,χ2= 4. 284,P =0. 038; 3- year recurrence rate: 20. 69% vs 6. 35%,χ2= 4. 284,P = 0. 038). Conclusion The patients with sand- like gallstones have a significantly higher recurrence rate and a significantly longer time of operation than those with non- sand- like gallstones,and therefore,they should avoid gallbladder- preserving cholecystolithotomy.