A BS T R A C T BACKGROUNDGallbladder is among the most commonly surgically resected organ and the number of cholecystectomies has increased by more than 50% in the past decade. Cholecystitis is the most common disease of the gallbladder. It is the frequent cause of morbidity in many patients. It also affects a significant portion of the world's population. Over 95% of biliary tract disease is attributable to cholelithiasis. Chronic cholecystitis is the major indication for cholecystectomy. METHODSThis is a 5 years retrospective study carried out in the cholecystotomy specimens received in the Dept. of Pathology, RIMS during the period of 2010 to 2015. RESULTSA total of 4964 cholecystectomy specimen received in the Dept. of Pathology were analysed. Histomorphological diagnosis along with changes in the gallbladder epithelium were noted. 2432 cases (49%) show pyloric metaplasia and 447 cases (9%) show intestinal metaplasia. The mean age for pyloric metaplasia is 45 years and 56 years for intestinal metaplasia. There were 3 (0.06%) incidental diagnosis of gallbladder adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONSCholecystitis can be regarded as a disease of the modern times. Cholecystectomy, today is second only to appendicectomy. Pyloric metaplasia is the predominant epithelial change encountered in this study followed by intestinal metaplasia.

Background: Diseases of the gallbladder are pretty common. Most of the cases admitted in hospitals required surgical intervention and removal. Histopathological routine examination of the resected gallbladder shows a wide range of changes, from inflammatory to different variants and from premalignant to malignancy. This study is undertaken to find the changes in the cholecystectomy specimen along with their gender and age distribution. Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted in the cholecystectomy specimen received in the department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), a tertiary care hospital during the period of January 2014 to December 2016. The corresponding blocks are retrieved from the archives of the department, sections are cut and slides are stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain,Three representative slides of each specimen are examined. The aim of this study is to analyse the different histopathological changes of the gallbladder and their distribution in different age groups and as well as  in gender. Results: A total of 1506 cholecystectomy specimen were received in the histopathology section of the department. Out of which, 1282 cases (85.12%) were females while 224 cases (14.88%) were male patients. Female to male ratio is 6:1. The most common histopathological diagnosis of cholecystectomy specimen was chronic cholecystitis followed by chronic cholecystitis with focal evidence of cholesterolosis and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. There were 3 cases of incidental diagnosis of adenocarcinoma gallbladder. Conclusion: Chronic cholecystitis is the most common disease affecting the gallbladder which with a high rate of occurance all over the world. The study firmly recommends thorough histopathological examination of all resected gallbladder. Incidental diagnosis of adenocarcinoma further warrents the need for thorough histopathological examination to help in treatment and prognosis. Keywords: Chronic cholecystitis, cholesterolosis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis,  incidental adenocarcinoma.