Classification of Gallstones and their Characteristics

ABSTRACT

Total 481 cases of gallstones from Korean patients operated at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital during the last 6 years were classified by macroscopic view according to the classification of Sato, et al and reviewed with a special reference to age, sex, and kinds and sites of gallstones. Gallstrones were present predominatly in the age of 50-60 years, the average 52. Sex ratio (MF) was nearly equal, being 11.05. Gallbladder was the most frequent site, comprising 53.2%, followed by common bile duct, 23.3% and intrahepatic location, 3.7%. Macroscopic classification revealed pigment gallstones in 53.0% (calcium bilirubinate, 41.8%; black, 11.2%); cholesterol gallstones in 36.2%, of which mixed stone being 33.1%. Cholesterol gallstones occurred predominantly in 50-60 years of age with a prediletion to females. On the contrary, elderly persons more than 60 years of age had calciu bilirubinate stones. No sex difference was found in the calcium bilirubinate stones. Eightly-six percent of cholesterol gallstones were present in the gallbladder only. Common bile duct stones were mostly composed of pigment gallstones in 80.4%.