The use of Ursodesoxicolic Acid in Prevention of Collelitiase After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review of Literature

Morbid obesity is considered a serious public health problem generating high human and financial costs.  The situation that promotes the highest morbidity after bariatric surgery is the development of cholelithiasis, especially in the first 6 months.  Given this process, ursodeoxycholic acid is increasingly being used in the postoperative period due to a reduction in the rate of cholelithiasis.  However, there are discussions of which prophylactic method to use.  In this context, a systematic review was performed to evaluate the efficacy and use of ursodeoxycholic acid in preventing cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery.  After methodological analysis, 6 articles were selected.  These studies suggest that administration of 500 to 1000 mg of UDCA for a period of 6 months, depending on the technique used, is significantly associated with decreased incidence of cholelithiasis, with good adherence, cost-effectiveness and few side effects. Keywords : Ursodeoxycholic Acid, Cholelithiasis, Bariatric Surgery.