THE EFFECT OF STONE SIZE ON THE FREQUENCY OF BILIARY PAIN

Objectives: This study was aimed at assessing the relationship between cystic duct and stone diameter with the frequency of biliary pain. De sign and Setting: A prospective study of 30 patients admitted for chol ecystectomy due to symptomatic cholelithiasis. The pattern of their fr equency of pain was recorded since the first attack until admission an d related to the diameters of their gallbladder stones and cystic duct s. Results: Patients with a cystic duct diameter of 5 mm or less had m ore frequent attacks of pain per week than those with a diameter more than 5 mm (p=0.0003). The smaller the cystic duct diameter, the smalle r the stone diameter (p<0.0001), and the smaller the stone the more fr equent are the attacks of pain (p=0.0001). Conclusion: This study show ed that there is a significant relationship between the frequency of b iliary pain and the size of stone and the diameter of cystic duct. Thi s observation may give a useful clue to surgeons in arranging prioriti es for operations.