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Gall Bladder

What are Gall Bladder Stones?

Gall bladder is a small organ below the liver in the upper right abdomen. It’s a pouch that stores bile, a green-yellow liquid that helps with digestion. Most gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in the bile. Gallstones are stone-like objects that develop in the gallbladder or bile ducts (the pipe-like system within the liver).

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.

gall_bladder_stones

How many types of Gall Bladder Stones are?

Gallstones are made up of hardened materials in your body. Typically, there are two types:

  • Cholesterol: Made up of fatty substances in the blood, cholesterol is found throughout the body. These are the most common type of gallstones.
  • Pigment Stones (mainly made of bilirubin): This substance is created when red blood cells break down in the liver. Too much bilirubin can actually leak into the bloodstream and cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow (jaundice).

Gallstones that are made up of cholesterol tend to be greenish in colour. It is more common to have gallstones made of cholesterol than other types of stone.

What causes Gall Bladder Stones?

There may be several reasons, including:

  • People who are overweight are more likely to form gallstones.
  • Excess estrogen from numerous pregnancies, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills may increase cholesterol levels in bile, slow down gallbladder emptying, and lead to gallstones.
  • People who have biliary infections can develop gallstones.
  • Individuals with hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia are more likely to form pigment stones.
  • Excessive dieting and consuming certain cholesterol-reducing drugs can also increase the risk of gallstone formation.

What are the Symptoms of Gall Bladder Stones?

  • Severe pain in the right upper abdomen that increases rapidly and lasts from few minutes to several hours
  • Pain in the back between the shoulder blades
  • Pain under the right shoulder
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Abdominal bloating (gas formation)
  • Recurring intolerance to fatty foods
  • Belching
  • Indigestion

Who is at risk for Gallstones?

  • Women are more prone than men
  • People in their 30's and 40's
  • Overweight men and women
  • People with rapid / sudden weight loss
  • Pregnant women, women on hormone therapy and those who use birth control pills for a prolonged period

What are complications caused by Stones?

  • Recurrent severe abdominal pain or vomiting.
  • Jaundice due to blockage of the common bile duct due to stones.
  • Acute Pancreatitis (swelling of Pancreas) which can have catastrophic sequel of multi-organ failure and other serious complications. It may be fatal if severe.
  • Pus formation in the Gallbladder (Empyema).
  • Gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder.
  • Cholangitis (life threatening infection of biliary system).
  • Associated with Cancer of gallbladder in the long term.

How are Gallstones diagnosed?

  • History of the patient
  • Liver Function Test
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

What are the advantages of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery?

  • Smaller incision – Several small incisions, each less than one (1) inch long, instead of a 5- to 7-inch incision for open surgery.
  • Less pain than after open surgery. hospShorterital stay
  • Quicker recovery than open surgery – You might go home the same day you have your surgery. You can also go back to regular activities more quickly.
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