EVALUATION OF DIFFERENCE IN PRESENTATION, SURGICAL IMPLICATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS BETWEEN PATIENTS OF SOLITARY AND MULTIPLE GALL STONE DISEASE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Introduction Gall stones are currently classified based mainly on their composition. Though some studies have suggested differences in patients with multiple and solitary gallstones, there is sparse data regarding this, leaving a lacuna for research work which could help expand our understanding of the disease. Aim & Objectives Evaluation of difference in presentation, surgical implications and complications between patients of solitary and multiple gall stone disease. Methods 100 patients admitted with and undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis and its complications at Muzaffarnagar Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarnagar (UP, India) were divided into two groups- those with single gall stones, and those with multiple gall stones. Results In our study, 63 cases had multiple gallstones, while 37 had a single gallstone. No significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to the studied symptoms. However, a significantly higher percentage of patients with multiple stones suffered from acute cholecystitis (p value 0.014), and choledocholithiasis (p value 0.015), as compared to those with single stones. Mucocele was found to be significantly more common in single stone patients (p-value = 0.001). The comparison of the duration of cholecystectomy, prevalence of dense adhesions, and rate of lap to open conversions revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion While differential rates of some complications were observed between patients with single and multiple gall stones, the symptom profile was similar and no significant difference between the two groups regarding operative difficulties could be illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]