Cholecystectomy is Feasible in Children with Small-Sized or Large Numbers of Gallstones and in Those with Persistent Symptoms Despite Medical Treatment

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting the choice of treatment modality and the course of pediatric gallstone (GS) disease. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 65 patients diagnosed with GS using imaging studies between January 2009 and December 2017 were included. RESULTS: This study included 65 patients (33 boys and 32 girls; mean age, 8.5±5.3 years; range, 0.2–18 years) who primarily presented with abdominal pain (34%), jaundice (18%), and vomiting (8%). Idiopathic GS occurred in 36 patients (55.4%). The risk factors for GS included antibiotic use, obesity, hemolytic disease, and chemotherapy in 8 (12.3%), 7 (10.8%), 6 (9.2%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. We observed multiple stones (including sandy stones) in 31 patients (47.7%), a single stone in 17 (26.2%), and several stones in 17 (26.2%). GS with a diameter of <5 mm occurred in 45 patients (69.2%). Comorbidities included hepatitis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis in 20 (30.8%), 11 (16.9%), 11 (16.9%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was administered to 54 patients (83.1%), leading to stone dissolution in 22 patients (33.8%) within 6 months. Cholecystectomy was performed in 18 patients (27.7%) (mean age, 11.9±5.1 years). Most patients treated surgically had multiple stones (83%) and stones measuring <5 mm in size (89%), and 66.7% of patients had cholesterol stones. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy is feasible in patients with small-sized or large numbers of GS and those with persistent abdominal pain and/or jaundice. UDCA administration with close follow-up is recommended in patients with uncomplicated GS.