GALLBLADER SURGERY

Gallstones are small, solid particles or stones that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, and releases it into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats.

Factors contributing to gallstone formation

• Gender: Women are more prone to developing gallstones than men
• Obesity
• Genetic predisposition
• Rapid weight loss
• Dietary factors such as consuming a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet
• Age,risk increasing with age

Symptoms of gallstones

• Many people with gallstones may not experience any symptoms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) if a stone obstructs the bile ducts
• Sudden and intense pain in the upper right abdomen (biliary colic).

Gallstones complications

Acute Cholecystitis: Gallstones can block the cystic duct, leading to inflammation and infection of the gallbladder. Recurrent or long-standing inflammation of the gallbladder due to gallstones can result in chronic cholecystitis, characterized by repeated episodes of abdominal pain, bloating, and indigestion.

• Pancreatitis: Gallstones that pass through the bile duct and obstruct the pancreatic duct.This can result in potentially life-threatening complications
• Cholangitis
• Gallbladder Cancer although rare
• Choledocholithiasis

Diagnosis

Ultrasound imaging is the most common and effective method for diagnosing gallstones.Ultrasound can also detect complications such as gallbladder inflammation or bile duct obstruction.

Other imaging modalities include:

• MRCP
• ERCP
• Computed Tomography (CT)