Laparoscopic cholecystectomy could benefit patients with normal ejection fraction

Editor's Note

Patients with biliary symptoms can benefit from laparoscopic cholecystectomy even with a normal ejection fraction (greater than 35%), according to a study published November 30 in the American Journal of Surgery.

Although previous data have shown the surgery to improve biliary symptoms (such as abdominal pain) in patients with low ejection fraction, this retrospective, single-center study focused specifically on the benefit to 117 patients with negative workup (HIDA scan showing normal ejection fraction) who received the surgery from 2017 to 2022.

Results indicate that ejection fraction is likely not as important as previously believed. “Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be a beneficial intervention for patients with abdominal pain and normokinetic biliary disease,” the researchers conclude. “Offering surgical intervention early on can potentially save patients from exhaustive diagnostic investigations and possibly misdiagnosis.”