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Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) refers
the presence of symptoms after cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder).
These symptoms can represent either the continuation of symptoms
thought to be caused by the gallbladder or the development of new
symptoms normally attributed to the gallbladder. Postcholecystectomy
syndrome also includes the development of symptoms caused by removal
of the gallbladder. Postcholecystectomy syndrome reportedly affects
about 10% to 15% of patients who have had this surgery. This condition
is caused by alterations in bile flow due to the loss of the reservoir
function of the gallbladder. Due to this, two main groups may arise.
On the one hand, because of continuously increased bile flow into
the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, esophagitis and gastritis
may result in nausea and indigestion. On the other hand, in the
lower GI tract, there may be distention, flatulence, diarrhea, and
colicky lower-abdominal pain. Generalized symptoms may also include
fever and jaundice.
Unfortunately, Western medicine does not provide much in the way
of treatment for PCS other than further surgery (endoscopic sphincterotomy
to relieve recurrent pain due to sphincter of Oddi dysfunction).
However, if there is postcholecystectomy pain and no objective abnormalities,
then even this surgery is not indicated. Happily, Zhu An-long of
the No. 1 Jin Chang Municipal People's Hospital in Gansu published
an article on the Chinese medical treatment of PCS involving a protocol
that, based on the research in this article, shows great promise.
Zhu's article appeared on pages 630–631 of issue 10, 2008
of Shi Yong Zhong Yi Yao Za Zhi
(Journal of Practical Chinese Medicine
& Pharmacology). It is titled "The Treatment of
34 Cases of Postcholecystectomy Syndrome with Jia Wei Si Ni San."
A summary of this article is presented below.
Cohort description:
Among the 34 cases enrolled in this cohort study, there were 18
males and 16 females 30 to 66 years old, with an average age of
49 years. Due to cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, all the patients
had undergone a cholecystectomy within one month to six years of
participation in this study. All these patients exhibited right
upper abdominal pain. Twenty-eight of these cases also experienced
pain radiating to the right shoulder and upper back. At least two
times since their original surgery, all patients had been examined
with ultrasonography with no positive findings. Sixteen patients
had also had endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
In three of those cases, there were small stones lodged in the common
bile duct, while in one case, there was a small stone (2.5 centimeters)
lodged in the gallbladder duct.
Treatment method:
Jia Wei Si Ni San (Added Flavors Four Counterflows
Powder) consisted of:
- Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), 10g
- stir-fried Zhi Shi (Fructus Immaturus Aurantii), 10g
- Chi Shao (Radix Rubra Paeoniae), 15g
- Bai Shao (Radix Alba Paeoniae), 15g
- Yu Jin (Tuber Curcumae), 15g
- Mu Xiang (Radix Auklandiae), 10g
- Chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendam), 6g
- processed Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis), 15g
- Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), 30g
- Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), 10g
- Fu Ling (Poria), 10g
- Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), 10g
- stir-fried Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani), 15g
- mix-fried Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), 6g
If liver depression was severe, then 10 grams
each of Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) and Fo Shou (Fructus Citri Sacrodactylis)
and 9 grams of Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) were
added.
If liver depression transformed fire, 9 grams each of Huang Qin
(Radix Scutellariae) and scorched Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) were
added.
If abdominal distention was severe, 15 grams of Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae
Officinalis), 9 grams of Bing Lang (Semen Arecae), and 8 grams of
Wu Yao (Radix Linderae) were added.
If there was vomiting of bitter water (bile), 30 grams of Dai Zhe
Shi (Haemititum) decocted first, and 10 grams of Zhu Ru (Caulis
Bambusae In Taeniam) were added.
If rib-side pain was severe, 15 grams each of Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
and Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) were added.
If there was constipation, 10 grams of cooked Da Huang (Radix Et
Rhizoma Rhei) and 30 grams of Huo Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis Sativae)
were added.
If there was torpid intake (poor appetite) and loose stools, then
Lai Fu Zi was deleted and 10 grams each of scorched Bai Zhu (Rhizoma
Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi), and scorched
San Xian (Three Immortals: Shen Qu, Massa Medica Fermentata; Shan
Zha, Fructus Crataegi; and Mai Ya, Fructus Germinatus Hordei) were
added.
If there were stones in the common bile duct, 30 grams of Jin Qian
Cao (Herba Desmodii/Lysimachiae) and 15 grams of Ji Nei Jin (Endothelium
Corneum Gigeriae Galli) were added.
One packet of these medicinals was decocted in water and administered
per day, with two weeks' administration equaling one course of treatment.
Results were analyzed after one such course.
Outcomes Criteria
Cure was defined as disappearance of clinical symptoms with normal
ultrasound and X-ray examinations. Improvement was defined as basic
improvement in clinical symptoms with improvement in ultrasound
and X-ray examinations or no change. No effect was defined as partial
improvement in clinical symptoms, shorter duration of symptoms when
they occurred, and no improvement in either ultrasound or X-ray
examination.
Study Outcomes
Based on the preceding criteria, 21 cases (61.8%) were judged cured,
while 10 cases (29.4%) were judged improved. Only three cases (8.8%)
experienced no effect. Therefore, the published total effectiveness
rate was 91.1%.
Discussion
After reviewing the Western medical anatomy and pathophysiology
of PCS, Dr. Zhu says that, based on his clinical experience, the
occurrence of PCS in most cases is related to emotional stress and
overeating oily, fatty foods. In Chinese medicine, the abdomen is
ruled by tai yin (the spleen) and is traversed by the liver vessels.
Therefore, postsurgical abdominal pain is related to liver depression
and nonsmooth flow of qi resulting in a liver-spleen disharmony.
This means that the liver is depressed and the spleen in vacuous.
If the liver qi becomes depressed and bound, it loses its spreading
and extending. This results in the liver qi counterflowing horizontally
to check and assail spleen earth. If the stomach qi does not downbear,
then the gallbladder qi counterflows upward, and the upbearing and
downbearing of the qi mechanism or dynamic lose their normalcy.
Surgery is a form of cutting damage. Therefore, postsurgery, there
are blockages and obstructions in the affected area caused by adhesions.
This results in the movement of the blood losing its smooth and
easy flow. Instead, the vessels and network vessels become static
and obstructed. In sum, Dr. Zhu believes that the disease mechanisms
of PCS are a combination of three factors: 1) liver depression qi
stagnation, 2) stomach loss of harmony and downbearing, and 3) static
blood obstruction and stagnation. Therefore, he believes that treatment
of this condition should course the liver and resolve depression,
rectify the qi and harmonize the stomach, transform stasis, and
stop pain.
Thus, within Jia Wei Si Ni San, Chai Hu courses the liver and resolves
depression, while Zhi Shi moves the qi, disperses stagnation, and
downbears turbidity. Bai Shao nourishes the blood and restrains
yin, softens or emolliates the liver, and harmonizes the blood.
Chi Shao cools and quickens the blood and scatters stasis. Ban Xia
harmonizes the stomach and downbears counterflow, disperses glomus,
and scatters binding. Fu Ling fortifies the spleen and supplements
the center. It also quiets the spirit. Chen Pi rectifies the qi
and harmonizes the stomach. Dan Shen quickens the blood and transforms
stasis. Once stasis has been eliminating, new (tissue and/or qi
and blood) can be engendered. It also disperses swelling and stops
pain. Yu Jin moves the qi and resolves depression, cools the blood
and transforms stasis. Mu Xiang moves the qi and disperses distention.
Chuan Lian Zi courses the liver and discharges heat, resolves depression
and stops pain. Processed Yan Hu Suo is acrid, scattering, and warm
and frees the flow. It quickens the blood and scatters stasis, rectifies
the qi and stops pain. Stir-fried Lai Fu Zi normalizes the flow
of qi and opens depression, disperses food, and transforms stasis.
And finally, mix-fried Gan Cao regulates and harmonizes all the
other medicinals in this formula. In addition, when combined with
Bai Shao, it relaxes cramping and stops pain. Hence, when all these
medicinals are combined together, their effect is to course the
liver and resolve depression, rectify the qi and harmonize the stomach,
quicken the blood and transform stasis, free the flow of the network
vessels, and stop pain. When the liver qi obtains soothing, the
gallbladder (qi) follows the stomach (qi)'s downbearing, the vessels
and network vessels are freely and smoothly or easily flowing, and
the qi mechanism's upbearing and downbearing regain their normalcy,
then all the symptoms of this condition are automatically cured.
Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2008.
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