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Cholecystectomy after mild pancreatitis
Doctor can I please get your response. My wife is having multiple gallbladder stones max 4-5mm in size. 3 days back 1 stone size 4mm got stuck in CBD. It was there for some time but then got released on its own as 1 day later EUS test found no stone in CBD. But it caused mild pancreatitis with Amylase/Lipase 3500/15000. There was fever for few hours but then reduced. Yesterday the levels were down as 1000/4000 with no other symptom except mild pain on pressure upon pancreas.
My question to you is our surgeon advised 5 to 6 days rest before doing gallbladder removal. He needs pancreas to be 100% cool. But we are afraid of another stone passing and cause pain episode as it is unbearable pain.
Pls advise is the doctor right or we can go for another doctor who can plan earlier GB removal in 2-3 days.
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Your doctor is absolutely right.
Frankly dangerous to operate soon after acute pancreatitis. Yes there are exceptions to this rule (which I don’t think apply in your wife’s case) and from what you described, your wife should wait and only be operated when the surgeon says it is safe to proceed. Ideally such a surgery should be done via key hole ie Laproscopic cholecystectomy.
All the best.
J G S R clinic.
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Your surgeon’s advice is medically correct and in line with current guidelines. Your wife had gallstone-related acute pancreatitis, which appears to be mild and resolving, as shown by rapidly falling amylase/lipase levels and improving symptoms. In such cases, it is safer to allow the pancreas to cool down first before surgery. Operating too early while inflammation is active can increase surgical difficulty and complications.
Next Steps
• Continue conservative management until pain, fever, and pancreatic enzymes settle further
• Proceed with laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same hospital admission or within a few days (usually 5–7 days) once stable
• Maintain low-fat diet, adequate hydration, and pain control
• Stay under close observation so surgery can be advanced immediately if symptoms worsen
Health Tips
Waiting 5–6 days for pancreatic inflammation to settle before gallbladder removal is the safest approach. Your current surgeon’s plan is appropriate, and early surgery at 2–3 days is not routinely recommended in this situation.
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Do not leave the hospital or change doctors without ensuring she is stable, pain controlled, tolerating oral intake, and has a clear written plan for the timing of cholecystectomy and what to do if severe pain, fever, or vomiting recur, because these can be signs of recurrent pancreatitis or cholangitis needing urgent care.
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