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What is Gallbladder?

Gallbladder is a small organ below the liver.

It stores bile that helps with digestion.

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What are gallbladder stones?

Gallstones or gallbladder stones are stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder.

Gallbladder stones are hard deposits of substances in the bile that get formed inside the gallbladder.

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What are different types of stones that develop in gallbladder?

  • Cholesterol stones are generally yellow-green in color. They're the most common kind of stone in gallbladder

  • Pigment stones are smaller and darker. They're made up of bilirubin, which comes from bile.

 

What causes gallbladder stones?

  • Genetic

  • Obesity(being overweight)

  • Diet rich in fat

  • High Cholesterol

  • Motility problems with gallbladder

If you are a female or over 40 year of age, you have high chances of getting stones in gallbladder.

 

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Gallstones are generally asymptomatic. But do see a doctor if you have following symptoms:

  • Pain  in upper belly and radiating to back

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Bloating

  • Indigestion

  • Heartburn

  • Gas
     

How are gallbladder stone diagnosed?
To check for stones in gallbladder, your doctor may ask you to get ultrasound.

 An ultrasound is the best way to diagnose gallbladder stones.

How to prevent gallbladder stones from formation?

Many risk factors for gallstones can’t be controlled like age, race, gender, and family history.

But various risk factor are related to diet, that can be controlled.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help.
 

Why might I need my gallbladder removed?

Gallstones that become problematic can cause your gallbladder, your bile ducts, or your pancreas to become inflamed.

If you have any of these problems, your doctor will likely recommend a cholecystectomy i.e. Gallbladder removal.

 

What are the treatment options available?
Most of the time, there is no need to treat gallstones unless they cause pain. Sometimes you can pass gallstones without even noticing.

But if you’re in pain, you may have to undergo surgery. A surgeon will remove your gallbladder if gallstones cause pain and create any other complications. 

For gallbladder stone removal at our center, following procedures can be performed.

 

Open Surgery (Cholecystectomy):

Open gallbladder removal, or open cholecystectomy, is a type of surgery performed to remove the gallbladder by making a large incision in the abdomen. 

Open surgery leaves a large scar measuring between 10-20cm.

Surgeons perform open surgery only on patients when laparoscopic surgery is not the option due to medical complications.

With open surgery, you will likely be in the hospital for 2-3 days.

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Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery:

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery requires less time for recovery and has a lower risk of infection compared to traditional open surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is a common surgery performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon will typically make three or four, 5-10 mm  small incisions in abdomen.

Surgeon then will insert a small device into the incisions and carefully remove the gallbladder.

If the surgeon decides that a laparoscopic procedure is appropriate, the surgery will probably take 1-2 hours.

In some cases, the patient can return home on the same day, but sometimes the patient may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Most people take about a week to fully recover

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Single Incision laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery or Single Incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Single Incision laparoscopic surgery to remove gallbladder is performed with a single incision in the belly button/navel that is as small as about 2 cm.

This is the most advanced form of keyhole operation.

Single Incision laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery technique may eliminate the visible scars associated with open surgery for gallbladder removal or laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery.

As compared to laparoscopic surgery or Single Incision laparoscopic gallbladder removal, open surgery is more painful afterwards.

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Risks associated with gallbladder removal may include:

Above mentioned procedures are extremely safe and complications are rare. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks.

Before the procedure we will evaluate the patient’s medical history and perform a complete physical examination to minimize risks.

  • Allergic reaction to anesthesia or other drugs

  • Gut Injury

  • Bile duct Injury

  • Excessive bleeding

  • Blood clots

  • Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas

  • Infection

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If you have any questions or concerns regarding gallbladder removal surgery, book an appointment online or by phone with us

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