Gall Bladder Stone Treatment

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that rests beneath the right side of the liver. Its collects and concentrates bile the digestive liquid produced by the liver. Bile is released from the gallbladder after eating, aiding digestion. Bile travels through narrow tubular channels (bile ducts) into the small intestine. Gallbladder problems are usually caused by the presence of gallstones: small hard masses consisting primarily of cholesterol and bile salts that form in the gallbladder or in the bile duct. There is no specific reason why some people suffer from gallstones and others don’t. There is no preventive treatment as of date to prevent formation of gallstones. Usually despite the presence of gallstones the patients remain asymptomatic. The diagnosis becomes apparent when these stones block the flow of bile out of the gallbladder, causing it to swell resulting in sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, and indigestion and occasionally fever .If the gallstone blocks the common bile duct, increased level of bilirubin can cause jaundice. In severe cases the laparoscopic technique is used to remove the gallbladder. This surgical technique is known as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Advantage: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy requires small openings in the abdomen with minimal post-operative pain and quick recovery for patients. In most of the cases patients resume normal activities within a day.

FAQs

How are gallstones detected?

Ultrasound is most commonly used technique to detect the gallstones.

Will removing the gallbladder affect my digestion?

Removal of the gallbladder is not known to cause any digestive impairment. These are one of the most common surgical interventions in the world.

How can gallstones be managed?

Gallstones do not go away. They can be temporarily managed with medicines and by reducing fat intake.