Gallstones: Frequently asked questions
What is the gallbladder and what does it do?
Bile is synthesized within the liver and drained through the Right and Left Hepatic ducts that join to form the Common bile duct (CBD). The gall bladder is a pear-shaped bag that lies under the liver, beneath the rib cage, on the right side of the abdomen that joins the Common bile duct. The gall bladder stores bile produced by the liver. During meals, especially fatty meals, the gall bladder squeezes out the bile it has stored, into the bile duct. The bile duct then runs through the pancreas for a bit and enters the duodenum at the ampulla ( also joined by the pancreatic duct which drains the digestive juice from the pancreas) where the bile mixes with the food
What are gallstones?
4 Types of Gallstones
- Cholesterol Stones
- Pigment Stones
- Mixed Stones
- Stones with Calcium Content
Causes/ Riskfactorsofgallstones?
Effects of or problems caused by Gallstones?
What is the treatment of gallstones?
It is best treated by an operation that removes the gallbladder i.e. called a Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A few key holes are made in the abdomen, the gallbladder is divided from the bile duct (which is preserved for bile flow from the liver to the intestine), and surgery usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Patients are started on an oral diet on the next day or after 6-12 hours from surgery and discharged on the next day.
What if I have Common bile duct stones or jaundice?
Choledocholithiasis of CBD stones is best treated by
- ERCP (for removal of CBD stones done endoscopically) followed by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Or by
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy + Laparoscopic CBD exploration along with Flexible choledochos copy (used to remove CBD stones and used to check complete removal of all stones). Usually, a stent is placed within the bile duct that needs to be removed after 4 to 6weeks
Does it affect one’s digestion if the gallbladder is removed?
Surprisingly, removal of the gallblad der seems to have no effect on the digestive process in the vast majority of patients who undergo this opera tion. The bile trickles steadily into the gut and helps digest the fatty foods. One should be able to continue eating normally after the operation.
Diet during Cholecystitis or gallstone disease?
