Gallstones: A Menace in Cholecystic Disease

Abstract

Gallstones represent a real hazard in acute cholecystic disease because of the possibility of the development of such dangerous complications as acute cholecystitis, obstruction of the common duct, choledochitis, intestinal obstruction due to gallstones, acute and chronic pancreatitis and carcinoma of the gallbladder. Therefore, every patient with gallstones should have them removed, whether or not they are producing symptoms, provided there are no contraindications to operation.