Abstract
To evaluate the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on gallbladder contractility, we selected 27 patients carrying slude or tiny stones during UDCA dissolution therapy with a dose of 600 mg per day. The patients underwent ultrasonographic examinations on the gallbladder volume twice shortly before and 2 months after dissolution therapy. At the same time, the serum bile acid fraction was studied to monitor compliance of UDCA. According to the two factors for evaluating gallbladcontractility, fasting volume (FV) and emptying, the mode of gallbladder contractility was separated into 4 patterns: Type I a-increased FV, adequate emptying (44 %); Type I b?-increased creased FV, inadequate emptying (30); Type II a-unchanged FV, adequate emptying (19 %); Type II b-unchanged FV, inadequate emptying (7 %). The present study suggests that during treatment with UDCA, fasting volume of the gallbladder mostly (74 %) increases, but residual volume, ejection volume or contractility vary in cases showing each type.
