What is the likely diagnosis for a patient with epigastric pain radiating to the back after gallstone removal?

The likely diagnosis for a patient presenting with epigastric pain that radiates to the back following gallstone removal is pancreatitis. This condition often arises as a complication after cholecystectomy, particularly if there is a history of gallstones, since the process of stone removal can sometimes lead to the activation of pancreatic enzymes or transient obstruction of the pancreatic duct.

In pancreatitis, the pain is typically described as severe and may radiate to the back due to the anatomical proximity of the pancreas to the spine. The patient may also present with nausea, vomiting, and potentially elevated levels of amylase and lipase in the blood, which support the diagnosis.

While cholecystitis could also cause abdominal pain, it is usually due to inflammation of the gallbladder itself, often presenting before surgery rather than after gallstone removal. Peptic ulcer disease involves pain related to gastric or duodenal ulcers and is less likely to present specifically in conjunction with recent gallbladder surgery. Acute gastritis results from inflammation of the stomach lining, which would typically cause epigastric pain but not necessarily in the context of radiating pain to the back. Thus, the symptoms and timing strongly suggest pancreatitis as the most likely diagnosis in