Gallbladder histological alterations in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the histological findings of the gallbladders of patients undergoing cholecystectomy and to evaluate the presence of factors associated with gallbladder incidental cancer. Methods: we conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study with 1,278 histopathological exams of gallbladders coming from cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis and of their reports, held from January 2008 to December 2017. Results: the most common pathological finding was chronic cholecystitis, present in 1,251 patients (97.8%), followed by gallbladder cholesterolosis, in 131 (10.2%). Gallbladder cancer was identified in six patients, with a prevalence of 0.5% in this sample. There was a significant association between the presence of cancer and age ≥60 years and wall thickness ≥0.3cm. Conclusion: there was low prevalence of gallbladder cancer in this population, higher occurrence in the elderly and association of the tumor with gallbladder wall thickness.