Keywords
Cholecystitis
Hospital Admissions
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
ERCP
How to Cite
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cholelithiasis is the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder and/or bile ducts; cholecystitis is gallbladder inflammation, usually resulting from cystic duct obstruction by gallstones. This article describes and discusses hospitalizations for these conditions in Brazil between 2020 and 2024, analyzing annual trends and regional differences in the SUS (Unified Health System), in light of contemporary guidelines and the post-pandemic healthcare reorganization. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify and analyze the rates of hospitalizations for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study with a quantitative approach used data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), provided by the SUS Information Technology Department (TABNET/DATASUS). The analysis covered hospitalizations for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in Brazil from January 2020 to December 2024, using descriptive statistics and tabulation in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Microsoft Word 10 spreadsheets. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Between January 2020 and December 2024, Brazil recorded 1,511,217 hospitalizations for cholelithiasis/cholecystitis in the SUS (Unified Health System). After a decline in 2020, there was a partial recovery in 2021, a surge in 2022 (backlog), moderate growth in 2023, and stabilization in 2024. The Southeast maintained its leadership; the Northeast and South gained share; the North and Central-West grew, but with greater variation. The dissemination of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, integration with ERCP, and standardized protocols supported the resolution rate. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that 2020–2024 comprised three stages: decline/recovery (2020–2021), recovery with release of pent-up demand (2022), and high stabilization (2023–2024). The Southeast leads; the Northeast and South advance; the North and Central-West show greater sensitivity. Prioritizing early cholecystectomy, ERCP and imaging, short-stay centers, and operational monitoring sustains resolution, reduces readmissions, and promotes care equity.
References
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