What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are small, hard deposits in the gall bladder. They are very common and in 80% of the people, they do not cause any discomfort. However, if they cause pain or swelling in the upper abdomen, it is necessary to seek proper treatment.
What causes gall stones to form?
The gallbladder makes bile to digest your food. When there is too much cholesterol in the bile, gallstones are formed. Sometimes, gallstones also form because of calcium or bilirubin.
Symptoms / when to call your doctor
You must reach out to your doctor if you have:
Acute pain in the abdomen extending to upper back or right shoulder
Shivering and fever
Jaundice
Clay coloured stools or dark urine
Severe nausea and vomiting
Why you should see a doctor?
Having gallstones is quite common and is not a concern in 80% of the people. However, if you have symptoms, getting the correct treatment is important.
Ignoring the symptoms can lead to:
Acute pain
Inflammation of the gallbladder and organs surrounding the gallbladder
Obstruction of bowels
Very large stones may even lead to gallbladder and bile duct cancer
How is it diagnosed?
Gallstones are diagnosed through a simple ultrasound. This is used to find the size of the gallstones. Based on the size, the doctor recommends the treatment- either medication or surgery.
Dietary Restrictions
After the surgery, your digestive system takes some time to recover completely. You should introduce solids slowly and eat frequent meals to recover fast.
What you can eat:
Liquids
Simple, bland nutrient dense food
High fibre foods like sprouts, fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains
What you should avoid:
Foods high in fat content like red meat
Dairy Ex Milk, cheese, butter
Processed food like pizza, cake, cookies
Coffee and alcohol
Treatment for Gallstones
Gallstones which are smaller in size (Generally less than 1cm) can be treated by Medication however larger size stones needs to be removed by surgery. It's always advised to consult a specialist.
Types of treatments:
| Specifics | Laparoscopic Surgery | Traditional Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts and Wounds | No | No |
| Pain | Mild pain | Yes |
| Recurrence | No | No |
| Dietary Restriction | Small modifications in diet | Yes |
| Recovery Time | 24 hours | 1-2 Months |
| Invasive | No | Yes |
Laparoscopic Procedure
The procedure involves the use of a laparoscope, a long, thin probe. The surgery is performed through small incisions made in the abdomen.
Flow of the procedure:
Patient is given general anaesthesia for the procedure
Small incisions are made in the abdomen
A tiny camera is inserted into the incision
The camera footage is visible on a screen which guides the doctor to perform the surgery
Once the gallbladder is removed, an X ray or ultrasound may be conducted to check for stones or any other problems
The incisions are sutured and the patient is taken to the recovery area
Recovery Time and Dietary Advice:
1 Day procedure with mild pain
Resume normal routine from next day
Simple, bland, nutritious, fibre rich food
Visit the doctor 2-3 weeks after the surgery for a check-up
If you have symptoms like fever, pus from the incisions, jaundice or severe pain, reach out to your doctor immediately
Risks involved in the treatment:
There are very less complications through this laser treatment. Some of the risks may be:
allergic or adverse reaction to anaesthesia or other drugs
bleeding
blood clots
damage to blood vessels
heart problems, such as a rapid heart rate
infection
injury to the bile duct, liver, or small intestine
pancreatitis
Traditional Procedure
The traditional procedure involves a large cut made in the abdomen which is sutured after the procedure is complete.
Flow of the procedure:
Patient is given general anaesthesia for the procedure
A large cut is made in the abdomen
The gallbladder is directly removed from the incision
Once the gallbladder is removed, an X ray or ultrasound may be conducted to check for stones or any other problems
The cut is sutured and the patient is taken to the recovery area
Recovery Time and Dietary Advice:
Hospital stay of 2-4 days or longer
Resume normal day routine after 4-6 weeks
Liquid diet for a couple of days after which solids can be introduced
The procedure involves a large cut. So, some of the risks may be:
Some of the risks of the procedure may be:
Injury to the common bile duct.
Bile that leaks into the abdominal cavity.
Excessive bleeding.
Infection of the surgical wound.
Injuries to the liver, intestines, or major abdominal blood vessels.
Blood clots or pneumonia related to the longer recovery period after open surgery.
Risks of general anaesthesia