Diagnosis and management of gallstone disease: summary of NICE guidance

Abstract

Gallstone disease is common—10-15% of adults in Western populations are thought to have the condition.1 2 Concerns about inappropriate variation in the management of gallstones have led to the development of recommendations on the diagnosis and management of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and choledocholithiasis in an attempt to improve patient outcomes and promote effective use of resources. This article summarises the most recent recommendations on the management of gallstone disease from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).3 NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on the Guideline Development Group’s experience and opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italic in square brackets. ### Diagnosis ### Treating asymptomatic gallbladder stones