Frequency of Papillary Dysfunction Among Cholecystectomized Patients

Four hundred and fifty‐four consecutive patients who had had their gallbladder removed were interviewed to determine the presence of upper abdominal pain, increased serum alkaline phosphatase and/or serum amylase activity. Patients with unexplained upper abdominal pain and/or enzyme abnormalities were offered endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and manometric evaluations. Dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi diagnosed by ERCP manometry may account for the abdominal pain seen in 14% of the patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome. It may rarely be the cause of an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and/or amylase when abdominal pain is not present. Papillary dysfunction is seen in less than 1% of the patients who have had their gallbladders removed. ERCP manometry is recommended in cholecystectomized patients with unexplained abdominal pain suggesting pancreaticobiliary origin.