Long term follow-up of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic cholelithiasis

Background: In Chile, cholelithiasis is a serious public health problem and there are no studies about its natural history. Aim: To assess the long term evolution of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic cholelithiasis. Patients and methods: Ninety two patients with cholelitiasis (57 female), aged 15 to 80 years old and that were not operated, were followed during a period of 9 to 14 years. Results: Thirteen patients were initially asymptomatic. Of them, seven had complications or symptoms during follow-up and two were operated. Among the 69 symptomatic patients, 38 (55%) were not operated during follow-up, a seventeen (25%) did not have symptoms again. Ten patients died during follow-up, four due to complications of biliary tract stones. Conclusions: The present finding suggest that the evolution of cholelithiasis in Chile is more aggressive than aboard, and an early surgical treatment is warranted.