Currently there is no evidence for prophylactic cholecystectomy to prevent gallstone formation (grade B). Cholecystectomy cannot be recommended for any group of patients having asymptomatic gallstones except in those undergoing…
Bile duct stone management has greatly changed in the past 2 decades. Open surgical techniques have mostly been replaced by transoral endoscopic techniques. Routine common bile duct stones can be…
Epidemiologic investigations, clinical observations, and family and twin studies in humans, as well as gallstone prevalence investigations in inbred mouse models, support the concept that cholesterol cholelithiasis could result from…
Gallstones are common with prevalences as high as 60% to 70% in American Indians and 10% to 15% in white adults of developed countries. Ethnic differences abound with a reduced…
The commonly used regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection consist of administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and 1 to 3 antimicrobial agents, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole,…
Many gastrointestinal diseases remain poorly responsive to therapies, and even in the cases of conditions for which there are many effective drugs, there is still considerable room for improvement. This…
The viewpoints of enthusiasts and skeptics in relation to the role of probiotics should not be allowed to distract clinicians from the bigger issue, which is the pivotal role of…
Peroxisome proliferatoreactivated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and have been implicated in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes, such as nutrient metabolism, energy homeostasis,…
Approximately 350 million persons worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B, which can result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, 2 interferons and 5 nucleos(t)ide analogues have been…
Portal hypertension is an increase in pressure in the portal vein and its tributaries. It is defined as a portal pressure gradient (the difference in pressure between the portal vein…
