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The gallbladder is a small organ tucked up under the liver, on the right side of your body. It is shaped like a swollen pea pod. The gallbladder’s job is to store and dispense bile—a fluid that helps digest fats in the food you eat. Bile is a mixture of cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts and lecithin.
The gallbladder is connected to other parts of the digestive system through a series of ducts, or tunnels. These ducts help to carry bile and aid in the entire process of breaking down food. Ultimately, the bile finds its way into the common bile duct, where it passes through a special sphincter (a valve made of muscle), into the small intestine
Gallstones are stone-like objects that develop in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Gallstones can range dramatically in size, from tiny grains of sand to golf ball-sized objects. Interestingly, small stones can often cause the most trouble. These are stones that can leave the gallbladder and get stuck. Larger stones tend to remain quietly in the gallbladder.
Gallstones are made up of hardened materials in your body. Typically, there are two types :
Gallstones are most commonly found in the gallbladder, as cholesterol stones. Gallstones can also travel from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, which is the largest of the ducts (pipes) in the liver.
Common bile duct stones are much less common than gallstones. Stones that find their way into the common bile duct can create more serious medical situations than just gallstones that remain in the gallbladder. Common bile duct stones can block the common bile duct, resulting in a serious infection called cholangitis. These stones can also cause pancreatitis, a painful condition caused by inflammation of pancreas. Stones in the common bile duct can be removed without surgery by using a scope ( ERCP).
Gallstones can develop for several reasons, including :
The symptoms of gallstones can vary based on the size of the gallstone. Most gallstones do not cause any symptoms at all. These gallstones are known as silent stones and require no treatment. When the gallstones cause symptoms, they may include :
You may have an increased risk for developing gallstones if you :
Ultrasonography: The most commonly used test to detect gallstones is an ultrasonography. This is a very accurate test for diagnosing gallstones.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): In MRCP, the bile ducts are examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRCP can only diagnose common bile duct stones. It cannot remove them.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): This procedure combines endoscopy with ultrasound (there’s a probe at the tip of the scope). The scope is passed through the mouth and advanced to the common bile duct and gallbladder region. It visualizes the common bile duct well.
ERCP-(Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) : It is an endoscopic procedure which is used to remove the common bile duct stones. During ERCP, medical gastroenterologist might put a plastic stent in the bile duct if there is infection called cholangitis.
You may have an increased risk for developing gallstones if you :
Ultrasonography: The most commonly used test to detect gallstones is an ultrasonography. This is a very accurate test for diagnosing gallstones.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): In MRCP, the bile ducts are examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRCP can only diagnose common bile duct stones. It cannot remove them.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): This procedure combines endoscopy with ultrasound (there’s a probe at the tip of the scope). The scope is passed through the mouth and advanced to the common bile duct and gallbladder region. It visualizes the common bile duct well.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) :It is an endoscopic procedure which is used to remove the common bile duct stones. During ERCP, medical gastroenterologist might put a plastic stent in the bile duct if there is infection called cholangitis.
Silent stones are not treated and should be left alone. If you have symptoms, such as pain, you will probably need to be treated. The most common treatment for gallstones is to remove the gallbladder surgically. Removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. In the majority of cases (90%), this surgery can be performed laparoscopically (Key hole surgery). Gallstones that are found in the bile ducts may need to be removed even if there are no symptoms. This procedure is commonly done with the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.
Silent stones are not treated and should be left alone. If you have symptoms, such as pain, you will probably need to be treated. The most common treatment for gallstones is to remove the gallbladder surgically. Removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. In the majority of cases (90%), this surgery can be performed laparoscopically (Key hole surgery). Gallstones that are found in the bile ducts may need to be removed even if there are no symptoms. This procedure is commonly done with the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.
Small Incisions & Scars of Laparoscopy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is known as a minimally invasive procedure because it uses several small incisions instead of one large one. A laparoscope is a narrow tube with a camera. This surgical tool is inserted through one incision. The camera allows your doctor to see your gallbladder on a TV screen. Your gallbladder is then removed through one of the small incision.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is known as a minimally invasive procedure because it uses several small incisions instead of one large one. A laparoscope is a narrow tube with a camera. This surgical tool is inserted through one incision. The camera allows your doctor to see your gallbladder on a TV screen. Your gallbladder is then removed through one of the small incision.
Small Incisions & Scars of Laparoscopy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Keyhole surgery) for multiple
gallbladder stones
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a
cirrhotic patient
You don’t need a gallbladder in order to digest food properly. If your gallbladder is removed, bile will flow directly from your liver through the hepatic duct and the common bile duct to the small intestine. After the surgery, you may experience some softer stools, which generally resolve over time.
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