Gallstones
Gallbladder is pear shaped organ located just below liver on right side of abdomen.
It contains Bile Juices which helps in digestion.
Sometimes due to various causes there is stone formation inside the gallbladder called gallstone which can be troublesome.
10 – 20 % Life time risk of gallstone formation of which 80 % will not have any symptoms.
Remaining 20 % will develop some symptoms or complications at some point in thier lifetime.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
- Pain on Right Side or Central Part
- Fever
- Vomiting or Nausea
- Indigestion or Dyspepsia
- Acidity or Gastritis
- Jaundice in some cases
- Dark Yellow Urine
- Gas with bloating sensation
Assessment of patient as per following
- Ultrasonography
- MRCP or CT scan depending on Lab findings & Examination
Causes
- Females , Age more than 40
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Fast Weight Loss
- Contraceptive pills
- Blood Disorders
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Prolonged hospitalization for any reason
- Certain Medicines
- Family History
Treatment
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - It is the most ideal recommeded treatment for symptomatic Gallstones
Operation or Surgery is only curative treatment option for people having issues with gallstones.
Surgeon makes few small holes & then remove Gallbladder along with gallstones through one of the holes.
Recovery Chart
- Short Hospital stay
- Fast recovery
- Minimal pain
- Less chances of infection
- Less chance of missing other causes of pain
Cholecystitis – Infection in gallbladder
Jaundice – Slippage of stone in main path of bile juice drainage
Empyema – Pus or abscess formation
Gangrenous Changes / Perforation
Cholangitis
Sepsis
Rarely Gallbladder cancer esp. Large Stones ( 4 % in 15 – 20 years )
Not effective but medicines like Ursodeoxycholic acid can be tried for dissolution of Gallstones or used in some special circumstances under medical supervision if needed.
If there is stone slippage or any signs of biliary obstruction or Bile duct injury then ERCP may be needed first followed by surgery as recommended.
What is ERCP ?
- Gastroenterologist will insert camera scope & will reach opening of Bile duct in small intestine.
- Then opening is widened to remove obstruction, stent is placed & biopsy taken if necessary
Polyps more than 10 mm or 1 cm or Multiple Polyps will require gallbladder removal
Chances are that it may turn cancerous so regular monitoring is required in these condition.
TESTIMONIALS
Get OPD Appointment
Book OPD appointment with Dr. Chintan B Patel at Kiran Hospital, Surat, Gujarat, India
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday
Morning10.00 AM – 12.30 PM
Evening04.30 PM – 06.00 PM
