News story: Ashcroft to Have Gallbladder Removed

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Ashcroft to Have Gallbladder Removed

2 hours ago

By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Doctors attending Attorney General Ashcroft found several

troublesome gallstones and ordered surgical removal of the Cabinet officer's

gallbladder to prevent a recurrence of gallstone pancreatitis.

Dr. Bruce Abell, a surgeon at Washington University Hospital, cited

stones " that are of concern to us, " leading to the decision to remove the

gallbladder _ a procedure called a cholecystectomy.

" As a preventative measure we are going to remove his gallbladder, because

when the gallbladder isn't removed, up to 50 percent of patients have a

recurrence of pancreatitis within six weeks, " Abell said.

The procedure began at noon EST and was expected to last about two hours.

Ashcroft has been hospitalized since Thursday with acute gallstone

pancreatitis and his condition has improved enough to withstand the surgery,

Abell said.

The procedure initially will be done laparoscopically but surgeons are

prepared to switch to the more conventional open surgery if necessary. Most

patients remain in the hospital for four or five days after such surgery,

Abell said.

A laparoscopic procedure involves insertion of a fiberoptic instrument

through a small incision in the abdominal wall and is usually done with use

of general anesthesia, according to the National Library of Medicine.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile produced by

the liver, shunting it as needed to the small intestine. Diet is not

restricted after removal of the gallbladder, although some people suffer

some recurring diarrhea.

Ashcroft, 61, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit since he was

admitted after complaining of severe abdominal pain.

Doctors diagnosed gallstone pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas

caused by a gallstone that blocks a passage leading from the pancreas to the

beginning of the small intestine. The pancreas is a gland that secrets

digestive enzymes and insulin.

Ashcroft was diagnosed with a severe case, which can be life-threatening,

particularly among people with other medical problems. About 20 percent of

the estimated 80,000 cases of acute pancreatitis in the United States each

year are severe, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Pancreatitis also occurs more frequently in men than in women, according to

NIH, and often strikes people more than once. In less severe cases, the

gallstone passes on its own without the necessity of surgery.

The attorney general has canceled his schedule for the week to continue

treatment for the illness. Deputy Attorney General Comey is empowered

to act for Ashcroft while the attorney general is being treated.

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