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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2006; 12(46): 7522-7526
Published online Dec 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i46.7522
Reversibility of central neuronal changes in patients recovering from gallbladder stones or acute cholecystitis
Daniel W Kjaer, Marek Stawowy, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Asbjørn Mohr Drewes, Peter Funch-Jensen
Daniel W Kjaer, Peter Funch-Jensen, Surgical Gastroenterology Department L, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Marek Stawowy, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology V, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Center for Sensory-Motor Interactions, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
Asbjørn Mohr Drewes, Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Daniel Kjaer, MD, VLN-Research, Building 1c, 1. Floor, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. danjam@mail.dk
Telephone: +45-8-9492768 Fax: +45-8-9492740
Received: July 25, 2006
Revised: November 6, 2006
Accepted: November 14, 2006
Published online: December 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the referred pain area in patients 2-7 years after cholecystectomy in order to test the hypothesis that neuroplastic changes could give rise to post cholecystectomy pain.

METHODS: Forty patients were tested. Twenty five were cholecystectomized due to uncomplicated gallbladder stones and 15 because of acute cholecystitis. Sensitivity to pinprick, heat, cold, pressure and single and repeated electrical stimulation was studied both in the referred pain area and in the control area on the contra lateral side of the abdomen.

RESULTS: Five patients still intermittently suffered from pain. But in the objective test of the 40 patients, no statistical significant difference was found between the referred pain area and the control area.

CONCLUSION: This study does not support the hypothesis that de novo neuroplastic changes could develop several years after cholecys-tectomy.

Keywords: Referred pain; Hyperalgesia; Cholecystitis; Post cholecystectomy syndrome