Q. What is Gall Bladder?
The gall bladder is a pear-shaped structure situated at the lower surface of your liver
It is connected to the liver and intestine with bile tubes
The function of the gall bladder is to store bile produced by the liver and to release it when you have meals
This bile helps in the partial digestion of fat
The gall bladder is known to civilizations for the last 4000 years
Many developed civilizations have documented its presence and the consequences of its malfunctions
Some historians believe the death of Alexander the great may have been associated with an acute episode of gall bladder infection
Q. What is the function of the Gall Bladder?
Gall bladder gets bile from the liver and absorbs water from it
In the process, it concentrates bile
If this concentration process goes haywire, the content of bile starts to get deposit and form gallstones
These gall stones can be like sand granules or can have obvious dimensions
Q. Why do we form gallstones?
Gall bladder not working properly and causing excess water or bile acid absorption
Increased in raw material for stones- Cholesterol and fat (Obesity, Pregnancy, OCPs)
Excess bile pigment- Haemolysis, infection
Poor intestine motility and absorption
Q. My ultrasound suggests gallstones, what should I do?
The most common symptom of gallstone disease is pain
Pain in the upper part of your belly
Is this pain increasing with meals
Is this pain going to the back or to the right shoulder
Is this pain increasing with movement
Is there excessive nausea and vomiting
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes-- INDICATION OF SURGERY
Q. My ultrasound suggests gallstones, but I am not having pain. What should I do?
Answer the following questions
Stones >2-3cm! Are you a diabetic! Is hospital care remote to you! If you are considering weight loss surgery! If you are a candidate for any transplant! If you are planning pregnancy! History of cancer in the family!
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes-- CONSIDER FOR SURGERY
Q. Is it dangerous for me to wait longer with gallstones?
Patients with gallstones may show some dangerous signs like - Running fever!! Severe pain!! Feeling any lump in the abdomen!! Jaundice!! Tummy getting distended with vomiting!! Unintentional weight loss
Possible causes for complicated presentations could be - Infection in the gall bladder- Cholecystitis Pus in the gall bladder- Empyema, GB Hole in Gall Bladder- Perforation, Stones in bile tubes- CBD stones, Pancreatitis, Gall stone in the intestine- Gall stone ileus, Bouveret syndrome, Gallstone can damage bile tubes- Mirizzi’s syndrome, Gall bladder cancer
These signs and symptoms call for immediate medical attention and a visit to GISurgeon
Q. What is standard Surgery for gallstones? Is it safe?
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the most common surgical procedure
In hands of a safe surgeon, it’s a procedure with same-day discharge
Consultation with GI Surgeon provides you with safe cholecystectomy and the best management of any complication
Opting for robotics is also a smart choice
Nowadays Surgery is safer than ever