The Incidence of Cholelithiasis After Bariatric Surgery in Saudi Arabia and Its Associated Risk Factors

Introduction: Saudi Arabia has one of the highest obesity rates (35.4%) in the world, and bariatric surgery (BS) has emerged as the most effective treatment for obesity and its comorbidities. Despite its effectiveness, it is a known risk factor for cholelithiasis. The aim of this study is to identify the incidence and risk factors that contribute to the development of symptomatic cholelithiasis after different types of bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the Saudi adult population. The sample size was 706 participants who underwent bariatric surgery from all over Saudi Arabia. Data collection was done through a validated online self-reported survey. Results: Out of 706 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, it was found that the incidence of gallstones (GS) after bariatric surgery was 18.8%. The most incidence was during the first year of surgery, where the number of individuals reached 80.4%. The majority were in females (22.9%) and those who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery (51.2%). Patients who had a body mass index (BMI) of >25 kg/m² significantly had a higher incidence of gallstones (23.1%) compared to those who had a lesser BMI (15.8%). As the analysis showed, the medication used to prevent the occurrence of gallstones can be considered one of the protective factors, where 85.4% of individuals who used these medications did not develop cholelithiasis. Conclusion: The incidence of gallstones after bariatric surgery was high, particularly within the first year of surgery. The increase in postoperative gallstone formation is correlated with hyperlipidemia and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as basic predictive factors. On the contrary, the medication used to prevent the occurrence of gallstones is considered a protective factor.