Cholecystectomy and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 3,511,681 Patients

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, is one of the most commonly performed abdominal surgical procedures worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that cholecystectomy may contribute to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the association remains incompletely understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between cholecystectomy and IBS. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception to March 2026. Meta-analyses were performed to pool odds ratios (ORs) and prevalence estimates. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses were assessed. Results: Seventeen studies involving 3,511,681 participants were included in the systematic review. Eight studies were eligible for the meta-analysis of the association between cholecystectomy and IBS, while twelve studies contributed to the prevalence analysis. No statistically significant difference in the odds of IBS was observed between patients who underwent cholecystectomy and controls (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 0.97–6.22; p = 0.056; I2 = 91.7%). The pooled prevalence of IBS in post-cholecystectomy patients was 21.0% (95% CI: 9.0–42.0), with high heterogeneity (I2 ≈ 99%). Sensitivity analyses did not alter the direction of the pooled estimates following sequential omission of individual studies, and no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference in the pooled odds of IBS was observed between groups, while the pooled prevalence among cholecystectomy patients was approximately 21%, although heterogeneity was substantial. Further research is needed on heterogeneity.
Funding Information
  • St. George’s University School of Medicine, St. George, Grenada

This publication has 60 references indexed in Scilit: