Correlation Between Ultrasonographic Findings and Intraoperative Findings in GSD: A Retrospective study

Background: GSD is one of the most common indications for cholecystectomy. Preoperative ultrasonography is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing GSD, but its ability to predict intraoperative findings and operative difficulty requires continuous evaluation. The objective is to assess the correlation between ultrasonographic findings and intraoperative findings in patients with GSD undergoing cholecystectomy. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 100 patients with GSD who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy over a 2-year period at a zonal hospital in Uttar Pradesh. Preoperative ultrasonographic findings were compared with intraoperative observations regarding gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening, contracted gallbladder, pericholecystic fluid, and operative difficulty. Diagnostic performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.8 ± 12.6 years, with females constituting 66% of the study population. Ultrasonography accurately detected gallstones in all patients and demonstrated excellent correlation with operative findings for gallbladder wall thickening, contracted gallbladder, pericholecystic fluid. Diagnostic accuracy ranged from 92% to 96%. Gallbladder wall thickening, contracted gallbladder, and pericholecystic fluid on ultrasonography were significantly associated with difficult surgery and conversion to open cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasonography correlates well with intraoperative findings and serves as a highly accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool for GSD. It not only confirms the diagnosis but also predicts operative difficulty, thereby aiding surgical planning and improving perioperative management.

Keywords: GSD, ultrasonography, cholecystectomy, intraoperative findings, diagnostic accuracy, gallbladder, operative difficulty.