AIM: To ultrasonographicaly evaluate the acute effects of smoking on gallbladder contraction and refilling in chronic smokers and nonsmokers.METHODS: Fifteen chronic smokers (21-30 years old) and fifteen nonsmokers (21-35 years old) participated in this study. Chronic smokers were selected among the volunteers who had been smoking for at least 5 years and 10 cigarettes per day (mean 17.5/d). Examinations were performed in two separate days. In the fi rst day, basal gallbladder (GB) volumes of volunteers were measured after 8-h fasting. After the examinations, participants had a meal containing at least 30-40 gram fat. Gallbladder volume was assessed at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the meal. In the second day, participants smoked 2 cigarettes after 8-h fasting. Then, they had the same meal, and gallbladder measurements were repeated at the same time points. Same procedures were applied to both groups. RESULTS: The mean starving GB volumes were 23.3 ± 3.3 mL in the fi rst day, 21.9 ± 3.0 mL in the second day in nonsmoker group and 18.3 ± 3.0 mL in the fi rst day, 19.5 ± 2.8 mL in second day in smoker group. There was no significant difference between starving GB volumes. We did not fi nd any signifi cant difference between the GB volumes measured at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min in the fi rst and second days in nonsmoker group. In smokers, post cigarette GB volume was found significantly higher at 5, 15 and 30 min which corresponded to GB contraction phase (P < 0.05). Control GB volume measurements were not signifi cantly different between the two groups. Post-smoking GB volumes were also not signifi cantly different between the two groups.CONCLUSION: Smoking prolongs the maximal GB emptying time both in smokers and in nonsmokers though it is not signifi cant. It delays GB contraction inchronic smokers and causes a signifi cant decrease in GB emptying volume. Smoking causes no signifi cant delay in GB refi lling in both smokers and nonsmokers. These effects of smoking observed in acute phase result in bile stasis in GB. Bile stasis is the underlying cause of most GB disorders in chronic process. AIM: To ultrasonographicaly evaluate the acute effects of smoking on gallbladder contraction and refilling in chronic smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS: Fifteen chronic smokers (21-30 years old) and fifteen nonsmokers (21-35 years old) participated in this study. Chronic smokers were selected among the volunteers who had been smoking for at least 5 years and 10 cigarettes per day (mean 17.5 / d). Examinations were performed in two separate days. In the fi rst day, basal gallbladder (GB) volumes of volunteers were measured After the 8-h fasting. After the examinations, participants had a meal containing at least 30-40 gram fat. Gallbladder volume was assessed at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the meal. In the second day, participants Then, they had the same meal, and gallbladder measurements were repeated at the same time points. Same procedures were applied to both groups. RESULTS: The mean starving GB volumes were 23.3 ± 3.3 mL in the fi rst day, 2 1.9 ± 3.0 mL in the second day in nonsmoker group and 18.3 ± 3.0 mL in the first day, 19.5 ± 2.8 mL in second day in smoker group. There was no significant difference between starving GB volumes. We did not fi nd any signifi cant difference between the GB volumes measured at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min in the fi rst and second days in nonsmoker group. In smokers, post cigarette GB volume was found significantly higher at 5, 15 and 30 min which Control GB volume measurements were not signifi cantly different between the two groups. Post-smoking GB volumes were also not signifi cantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking prolongs the maximal GB emptying time both in smokers and in nonsmokers though it is not signifi cant. It delays GB contraction inchronic smokers and causes a signifi cant decrease in GB emptying volume. Smoking causes no signifi cant delay in GB refi lling in both smokers and nonsmokers. These effec ts of smoking observed in acute phase result in bile stasis in GB. Bile stasis is the underlying cause of most GB disorders in chronic process.