Gallstones in Crohn's disease.

The prevalence of gallstones in 52 patients operated on for Crohn's disease at the University Central Hospital of Tampere over a 17-year period (1972-1988) was 21%, as compared with 23% in an age- and sex-matched control population. The gallstone prevalence rate among patients with Crohn's ileitis was significantly higher than in patients with ileocolitis (p less than 0.05) or patients with Crohn's colitis (p less than 0.005). The prevalence of gallstones in 33 patients with ileal resection was 24%. In patients with an ileal resection of more than 50 cm in length the frequency of gallstones was 33% as against 17% in patients with a minor resection (p less than 0.001). Patients with gallstones had no significantly longer duration of Crohn's disease prior to the diagnosis of gallstones than patients with no gallstones during the median observation period of 12 years.

Surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. A review of 42 cases.

21 years' experience of operated pancreatic pseudocysts is reviewed. The number of patients was 42, with mean age of 50 +/- 5 years. Thirteen patients (31%) were alcoholic. In 6/42 cases (14%) pancreatic carcinoma was considered the reason for pseudocyst formation. In 30 patients an internal and in 11 an external drainage was created. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (7%). External drainage was effected in patients with complicated pseudocyst. The complication rate in this group was 6/11 (55%) and in the internal drainage group 7/30 (23%). Internal drainage is a safe and effective procedure in patients with a mature pseudocyst wall. External drainage should be used in patients critically ill or with an immature pseudocyst wall.