In people undergoing bariatric surgery, preventive administration of Ursodeoxycholic acid lessens cholecystectomy rate by preventing development and symptoms of gallstone disease.

A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the occurrence of gallstone development, subsequent biliary illness, and requirement for cholecystectomy in patients who received no treatment and those who received Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment after bariatric surgery.

This study included randomized controlled trials comparing UDCA and controls to prevent development of gallstone following bariatric surgery. The databases of Cochrane Trials Register, Web of Science, and MEDLINE were explored for relevant articles. Review Manager 5.0 was used for the meta-analysis.

There were a total of 2363 randomized subjects and 2217 subjects assessed in the UDCA group compared to 1415 randomized subjects and 1257 subjects evaluated in the control group across the 11 randomized controlled trials. Prophylactic usage of UDCA was profoundly linked to lower rates of cholecystectomy rate (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.33), symptomatic gallstone disease (OR = 0.29), and gallstone formation (OR = 0.25). The subgroup of subjects having sleeve gastrectomy or simply taking into account randomized versus placebo studies showed identical outcomes in intention-to-treat  analysis.

After bariatric surgery, the use of UDCA was associated with prevention of gallstone development and reduction in the requirement for cholecystectomy.

In people undergoing bariatric surgery, preventive administration of Ursodeoxycholic acid lessens cholecystectomy rate by preventing development and symptoms of gallstone disease.