Gallbladder/Gallstone Surgery
An Overview
About 10-15% of adults in the UK develop gallstone disease at some point in life.
Gallstones can lead to severe pain and complications, often necessitating surgical intervention. If you are considering gallstones treatment, it is vital to understand the available options and expected outcomes. Read along to find information and crucial insights about gallstone disease, gallbladder removal, and different treatment options.
Understanding the Gallbladder and Gallstone Disease
The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and releases it into the intestines after eating a fatty meal. Gallstones develop when hardened deposits of digestive fluid form in the gallbladder. Gallstones can be associated with recurrent attacks of pain, infection, and other serious health issues such as acute pancreatitis.
Symptoms of Gallstone Disease
- Severe upper abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion
- Fever and chills (if infection is present)
If you experience these symptoms, you must seek gallstones treatment or your local area.
Your options for gallstone treatment
There are several treatment options for gallstone disease, ranging from non-surgical to surgical methods.
Non-Surgical Treatments
These mainly involve dietary modification by eating low or no fast foods. These can reduce occurrence of pain (biliary colic) from gallstones. In some cases (mainly patients unfit for surgery) gallstones and debris may be dissolved by using drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is an effective treatment option for removal of gallstones. The main operation is performed by the keyhole technique – laparoscopic cholecystectomy with on table cholangiogram.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with On Table Cholangiogram
This is a minimally invasive technique where the gallbladder is removed using small incisions and a camera (laparoscope). An on table cholangiogram (X-ray dye test performed during the operation) is often performed during the procedure to check for any remaining stones in the bile duct and to confirm anatomical features increasing the safety of the operation.
Benefits of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
- Small incisions and short recovery time (surgery is often performed as a daycase procedure)
- Reduced pain post-surgery than open cholecystectomy
Gallbladder Removal: What to Expect
Gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy, is a common procedure that relieves gallstone symptoms and prevents future complications. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after the surgery.
Before the Surgery
- Detailed consultation with your surgeon
- Pre-operative tests (blood tests, imaging)
During the Surgery
- Administration of general anesthesia
- The surgeon makes four small incisions to allow keyhole surgery
- Removal of the gallbladder and checking for remaining stones in the main bile duct that drains the liver.
After the Surgery
- Daycase recovery.
- Reintroduction of normal diet
- Resumption of normal activities after 10-14 days.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from gallbladder surgery is rapid with patients returning to normal activities within a week, driving after 10-days and heavy lifting or straining after six weeks.
Schedule your Consultation for Gallbladder Surgery
Choosing the right surgeon for your gallbladder surgery is a critical decision. With his extensive experience and expertise, Dr Sherif Awad offers personalized care and advanced surgical techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for his patients.
