Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Gallbladder Stones. Let’s dive in!
Gallbladder Stones: Is There a Stone in Your Gallbladder?
What Are Gallbladder Stones?
Gallbladder stones are often discovered during abdominal ultrasounds or routine health checkups when there are symptoms like dull pain in the upper right abdomen or upper central abdomen (epigastric area). In general, if the patient has no symptoms, the best approach is to monitor the condition without any immediate treatment.
While patients can wait until symptoms appear before visiting the hospital again, it is recommended to have an ultrasound once a year. However, for elderly patients, the first sign of gallstones can sometimes be something severe, such as gallbladder empyema (pus-filled gallbladder) or gallbladder perforation. That’s why extra caution is needed. Recently, with the advancement of laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, the surgical burden has decreased compared to the past, leading to a broader range of surgical candidates—even among those with asymptomatic gallstones.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
Even in asymptomatic cases, surgery may be performed if the gallstone is larger than 3 cm, if the gallbladder wall has become calcified, if a polyp is present along with the stone, or if the gallbladder wall has thickened locally or entirely. These cases are associated with a higher risk of gallbladder cancer. In such situations, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is considered necessary.
What If There’s Inflammation Without Stones?
Though the exact causes are not clearly defined, inflammation in the gallbladder without stones can be dangerous due to rapid progression, difficulty in early diagnosis, and risks of gallbladder necrosis or perforation. In these cases, surgery is often required. If a gallbladder polyp is found during ultrasound and it is 10mm or larger, or if the patient is over 55, has accompanying gallstones, or shows symptoms, surgery is recommended. Polyps between 5–10mm without symptoms should be monitored every 6 months, and surgery is needed if they grow. Additionally, conditions such as cholesterolosis or early-stage gallbladder cancer may also require gallbladder removal.
What to Know Before Surgery
Determining whether a patient meets the criteria for gallbladder removal is crucial. Important factors include a history of abdominal surgery, the presence of jaundice suggesting the possibility of bile duct stones, whether the patient has pancreatitis, chronic liver disease, blood clotting disorders, or cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
Various imaging tests are performed, such as liver function tests, ultrasound, oral cholecystography, hepatobiliary scans, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). These tests are essential to rule out other bile duct conditions like bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis, bile duct cysts, and bile duct tumors, ensuring the surgery is safe and thorough.
What You Must Know
Gallbladder removal surgery can completely cure gallstones. However, symptoms such as pain in the upper right or central abdomen, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting may improve to varying degrees depending on the type of symptoms. It’s also important to note that new symptoms may develop after surgery.
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
