Trial Medication
Patients were randomly assigned to either commercially available UDCA 900 mg daily for 6 months (Ursochol 450 mg tablet; two pills once daily) or matching placebo pills. Patients were instructed to start preferably within 2 weeks, but no later than 8 weeks after surgery. An uninterrupted break of up to 4 weeks was allowed during the treatment course. Patients were allowed to take one pill twice a day or break the pills. Patients, investigators, and treating physicians were all blinded for treatment allocation.