Gallstones (HPB Surgical)

Acute

What is Gallstones?

Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, especially after meals, and may lead to complications such as gallbladder inflammation or obstruction of the bile ducts.

  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Belching
  • Dark urine
  • Light-colored stools
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain in the right shoulder
  • Abdominal pain, usually in the upper right side
  • Back pain between the shoulder blades
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Pancreatitis
  • Gangrene of the gallbladder
  • Gallbladder cancer (rare)
  • Blockage of the common bile duct
  • Infection in the gallbladder or bile ducts
  • Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)

You may be at risk for developing Gallstones if you:

  • Are female
  • Are over 40
  • Have rapid weight loss
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have a family history of gallstones
  • Are pregnant or have had multiple pregnancies
  • Have certain medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cirrhosis)

How is it treated?

The treatment for Gallstones may involve one or more of the following approaches

  • Medications to dissolve stones
  • Pain relievers
  • Antibiotics (if there's an associated infection)

  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder)
  • Open cholecystectomy (in complex cases)
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove stones from the common bile duct

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