Post-cholecystectomy syndrome and magnesium deficiency.

Background And Objective: In 20%-30% of cholecystectomised patients a biliary syndrome (called Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome: PCES) reappears after some weeks or months. Its etiology, in certain cases, is an anatomic one: (choledochal lithiasis or stricture, obstructive papillitis, pancreatic duct stenosis), but there are many cases in which all organic causes are excluded.

Methods: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between these functional disturbances and magnesium (Mg) deficiency (MD). We analysed 52 patients with PCES and MD, in which organic lesions of the remaining bile ducts were excluded by imaging and endoscopic methods.

Results: MD was confirmed by serum and erythrocytic low Mg levels. 82% of patients were women. Supplemental therapy was provided with Tiomag (Mg gluconate and methionine), vitamin B6 and Ca lactate for 6 weeks or more. In 50 patients, PCES symptomatology disappeared after this treatment. In 14 cases some symptoms reappeared after a few weeks-months, but after repetition of the same therapy they completely disappeared.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the dependence of PCES functional manifestations on MD, especially the recurrence of symptoms, which again subsided after Tiomag therapy was reinstituted.