Abstract:Objective: To observe the changes in gallbladder function in patients with gallstones and low functioning gallbladder (gallbladder contraction rate less than 30% measured by ultrasound) after gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy, so as to comprehensively assess the efficacy of this procedure in such patients. Methods: The clinical data of 71 patients with gallstones and low functioning gallbladder undergoing gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy in Department of General Surgery of Tangdu Hospital during December 2009 to May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All the 69 patients underwent laparoscopy assisted minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy. At postoperative follow-up conducted for one year to four years, the treatment results in all patients, excepted one case of recurrence, were satisfactory, and the postoperative gallbladder contraction rate of the 69 cases was significantly increased compared with preoperative level [(42.48±8.70) % vs. (14.46±9.78) %], and further grouping analysis also showed this effect regardless of the number or location of stones of the patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy can achieve satisfactory efficacy in patients with gallstone and low functioning gallbladder.