This protocol applies to two groups of patients: those without known risk factors for malignancy who have a gallbladder polypoid lesion of 6–9 mm, and those with one or more risk factors for malignancy who have a gallbladder polypoid lesion of 5 mm or less. Both groups are initially managed with serial ultrasound surveillance.
The preceding management step involves follow-up ultrasound of the gallbladder at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, with the goal of confirming stability. Surveillance is discontinued when there is no evidence of lesion growth after 2 years. When the gallbladder polypoid lesion grows to reach 10 mm during follow-up, continued monitoring is not appropriate — an active management step is required.
When growth to 10 mm is confirmed on follow-up imaging, a surgical approach is the recommended course of action. The full structured protocol specifies the exact criteria, decision pathway, and procedural details.