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RACS ASC 2024

Australasian Surgeons’ Attitudes to the Pathological but Asymptomatic Gallbladder

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

HPB Surgery

Presentation Description

Institution: The Wesley Hospital - QLD, Australia

Purpose The management of asymptomatic patients with gallbladder stones and/or polyps is somewhat controversial. To assess contemporary attitudes from Australian and New Zealand HPB surgeons a survey was conducted. Methodology The survey was distributed via an online platform, Google Forms. It consisted of seven scenario questions and was sent to all members of the Australasian and New Zealand Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AANZHPBA) Surgeons’ attitudes to cholecystectomy were assessed in patients who were asymptomatic with stones, gallbladder wall thickening, gallbladder polyps of various size and/or family history of gallbladder cancer. Results 73 surgeons responded out of 150 surgeons Polyps in asymptomatic patients • All recommended cholecystectomy for polyps 10mm or greater • 28.8 % recommended cholecystectomy for polyps between 6mm - 10mm • No surgeon recommended for cholecystectomy for polyps less than 6mm Gallstones • 11% would perform a cholecystectomy in a well patient under 40 with gallstones without symptoms • 25% would perform a cholecystectomy on a patient with gallstones without symptoms, if there was any family history of HPB malignancy Conclusion There appears to be no debate regarding cholecystectomy in gallbladders with polyps greater than 10mm. However, for other asymptomatic conditions of the gallbladder there is significant disagreement and probable variation in practice, regarding cholecystectomy, in Australasian surgeons.

Speakers

Authors

Authors

Mr Jack Mckevitt - , Prof Nicholas O'Rourke - , Prof David Cavallucci -