INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHOLELITHIASIS IN OBESE PATIENTS

Abstract

Obesity directly influences hepatobiliary metabolism, promoting physiological changes that contribute to gallstone formation and increase the incidence of cholelithiasis. This scenario becomes even more relevant in the context of bariatric surgery due to rapid weight loss and metabolic adaptations observed in the postoperative period. Cholelithiasis, often asymptomatic in its initial stages, may progress to inflammatory conditions and clinical complications when not properly identified and managed. Therefore, it is necessary to understand biliary disease from an integrated perspective, considering metabolic, clinical, and therapeutic factors in an articulated manner. This study aimed to analyze, through a bibliographic review, the main aspects related to the integrated management of cholelithiasis in patients with obesity, emphasizing risk factors, the impact of bariatric surgery, and preventive and clinical follow-up strategies. The literature findings indicate that weight loss rate, high body mass index, and lipid metabolism alterations play a central role in gallstone formation. Preventive strategies, combined with clinical monitoring and multiprofessional follow-up, contribute to the reduction of complications and improvement of care outcomes. It is concluded that the integrated management of cholelithiasis represents a fundamental approach for comprehensive care of patients with obesity, promoting greater clinical safety and quality of healthcare delivery.