Preoperative and postoperative comparison of gallbladder polyps: Retrospective analysis of 56 cases

Introduction Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are classified as neoplastic and nonneoplastic polyps. Nonneoplastic polyps are cholesterol polyps, hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, adenomyomas, leiomyomas, fibromas, and lipomas. Neoplastic polyps are adenomas, adenocarcinomas, and squamous-cell carcinomas. GBP is a rare disease and its indication for operation is still unclear. Cholecystectomy is recommended for polyps of 10 mm or larger and smaller than 10 mm, if symptomatic and with risk factors. Results The mean age of the patients was 40.58 +/- 14.74 (17-87), and 36 of the patients were female and 20 were male. In the preoperative evaluation, the mean polyp size was 6.85 +/- 2.97 (3-16). Considering the preoperative diagnoses of the patients, 44 were GBP, nine were cholelithiasis, and three were GBP+cholelithiasis. While 47 patients were diagnosed with preoperative ultrasonography, nine patients were diagnosed with postoperative histopathological examination. Histopathological examination revealed cholesterol polyps in 54 patients and adenomas in two patients. All patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. No morbidity or mortality was observed. Conclusion While the size of GBP larger than 10 mm is widely accepted for surgery, the treatment of polyps smaller than 10 mm is not yet clear. Good identification of risk factors for malignancy and development of imaging methods will reduce unnecessary cholecystectomy as well as contribute to the economy of countries by reducing morbidity and mortality.