Investigation of Postprandial Phase of Gallbladder Emptying Measured by Ultrasonography

Background: Ultrasonography is one of the common methods of measuring gallbladder emptying. The various times selected as postprandial phase of gallbladder emptying affect the application of this method. The selection of optimum postprandial phase would be benefit to clinical practice. Aims: To investigate the postprandial phase of gallbladder emptying measured by ultrasonography. Methods: The gallbladder volumes in 13 healthy volunteers were measured by ultrasonography before breakfast and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min postprandially after a liquid-fat meal. The gallbladder emptying rates in different postprandial phases were calculated and compared. Results: The gallbladder emptying rates in 13 healthy volunteers at 30 min after meal was 55.0%±13.2%, which was not statistically different when compared with those at 60, 90 and 120 min (P0.05). However, the coefficient of variation (CV) for individual gallbladder emptying rate at 30 min postprandially was smallest. Conclusions: The measurement of gallbladder emptying rates by ultrasonography at 30 min after meal can objectively reflect the motility status of gallbladder with limited fluctuation.