RESUMEN
Background: Gallstones represent a major health problem across the world.[1] In the United States the prevalence is about 10% and increasing up to 30% in advance age people.[2] Its Prevalence in Islamic Republic Pakistan is around 15 to 20 %.[3]
Objective: Aim of our study is to assess the differences in clinical presentation between single and multiple gallstones
Design: Comparative study
Setting: This study was conducted at surgical department of Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan
Duration: 1[st] Feb 2010 to 31[st] January 2014
Sample size: Total one hundred patients
Methodology: All sonographically diagnosed patients of gallstones admitted into the ward. Clinical presentation like signs, symptoms and preoperative ultrasound findings of all patients were noted on predesigned performa, than after all necessary preoperative workup patients fit for surgery underwent cholecystectomy under elective conditions. The gallbladder was incised and the gallstones were exposed. The number of stones [single or multiple] in each gallbladder was recorded and on this basis all patients were divided into two groups. Group "A" labeled as a single stone and group "B" multiple stone
Results: The age range from 20 to 70 years, mean age was 44+/-5.5 years. Incidence of disease is about five times higher in female than males [80% female, 20% male]. 80% of patients had multiple stones, 20% patients had single stones. Majority of patients of group "A" has colicky type of pain and located in right upper quadrant and majority of group "B" patients has dull pain and located in Epigastrium. Other clinical symptoms like dyspepsia, vomiting and fever have no major difference in both groups. Sonographic findings are also almost same in both groups
Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that the clinical and Sonographic presentation is almost same in both groups, except site and type of pain