PATHO-MORPHOLOGIC CLASSES OF GALLSTONES, THEIR FREQUENCY AND ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS IN PESHAWAR, KP, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Gallstones are a common clinical condition, presenting as acute or chronic cholecystitis. Various risk factors have been implicated in the development of a variety of gallstones in different populations. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of various morphologic forms of gallstones in relation to age, sex, occupational status and lifestyle of patients presenting at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Peshawar.

Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the Surgical Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan, from October 2011 to June 2012. Gross morphologic aspects (including the number, size, color, shape, consistency and surface) of gallstones were studied in gallstones retrieved from 150 patients over a period of 9 months and were classified on the basis of their morphology.

Results: A total of 150 patients were included. 114(76%) were admitted through emergency and 36(24%) through clinic. Based on stone morphology, cholesterol based stones (pure cholesterol stones, mixed stones and combined stones) were the most common type (47.33%) closely followed by pigment stones (46%). A majority of our patients (84%) were in the age bracket of 30-50 years with a clear female predominance (92%).

Conclusion: Pigment stones are as frequently prevalent as cholesterol stones in our population indicating infection to be a factor as common and important as diet and sedentary lifestyle.