Clinical study on Shugan Lidan Decoction in preventing gallstones after radical total gastrectomy

Objective To explore the efficacy of Shugan Lidan Decoction in preventing gallstone after radical total gastrectomy. Methods From January to December 2016, 120 patients with gastric cancer underwent radical total gastrectomy in the Department of Abdominal Surgery in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were selected. Preoperative ultrasonography was performed to exclude diseases of biliary system(including gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder or bile duct stones). Patients with diabetes, which may affect gallbladder emptying function, were also excluded. The patients were divided into experimental group and control group according to random number table, 60 cases in each group. Routine treatment was given in both groups after operation. The experimental group was given Shugan Lidan Decoction 200 ml orally for 20 days from the 10 th day after operation. The gastrointestinal reactions of the two groups were observed. The concentration of cholecystokinin was measured 3 days before operation and 30 days after operation. The volume of gallbladder was measured by ultrasound and the emptying rate of gallbladder was calculated. The occurrence of cholecystolithiasis in the two groups was observed. Results The incidence of gastrointestinal reactions was similar between the two groups, and there was no significant difference. After operation, the serum CCK content in the two groups were increased, but it in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The gallbladder emptying rate of the two groups were decreased after operation, but the emptying rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). Cholecystolithiasis occurred in 25 patients(20.8%) including 8 in the experimental group(13.3%) and 17 in the control group(28.3%), with the statistically significant difference(χ²=4.093, P=0.043). Conclusion Shugan Lidan Decoction can improve the gallbladder emptying function and reduce the incidence of gallstones after radical total gastrectomy.