Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) describes the presence of abdominal symptoms after surgical removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy).
Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome may include:
- Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
- Gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Persistent pain in the upper right abdomen.
Symptoms occur in about 5 to 40 percent of patients who undergo cholecystectomy.
The pain associated with post-cholecystectomy syndrome is usually ascribed to either sphincter of Oddi dysfunction or to post-surgical adhesions.
Approximately 50% of cases are due to biliary causes such as remaining stone, biliary injury, dysmotility and choledococyst. The remaining 50% are due to non-biliary causes. This is because upper abdominal pain and gallstones are both common but are not always related.
Chronic diarrhea in Postcholecystectomy syndrome can be treated with cholestyramine.
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