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This can be carried out either through several small incisions or through a single larger incision, usually under general anesthesia. [2] In rare cases when surgery is not possible, medication can be used to dissolve the stones or lithotripsy can be used to break them down. [7] In developed countries, 10–15% of adults experience gallstones. [4]
Gallbladder stones (aka gallstones): A gallstone is a small pebble-like mixture of bile, cholesterol, and calcium. Gallstones can block bile ducts or otherwise hinder gallbladder function.
Gallbladder diseases are diseases involving the gallbladder and is closely linked to biliary disease, with the most common cause being gallstones (cholelithiasis). [1] [2]The gallbladder is designed to aid in the digestion of fats by concentrating and storing the bile made in the liver and transferring it through the biliary tract to the digestive system through bile ducts that connect the ...
Cholelithiasis (gallstones) Can predispose to cholecystitis (gall bladder infections) and ascending cholangitis (biliary tree infection) Can progress to choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile duct) and gallstone pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Gastric calculi can cause colic, obstruction, torsion, and necrosis.
Gallstones are thought to be linked to the formation of cancer. Other risk factors include large (>1 cm) gallbladder polyps and having a highly calcified "porcelain" gallbladder. [21] Cancer of the gallbladder can cause attacks of biliary pain, yellowing of the skin , and weight loss. A large gallbladder may be able to be felt in the abdomen.
The clinical course of biliary sludge can do one of three things: (1) it can resolve completely, (2) wax and wane, or (3) progress to gallstones. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] If the biliary sludge has a cause (e.g. pregnancy), it oftentimes is resolved when the underlying cause is removed.
Porcelain gallbladder is a calcification of the gallbladder believed to be brought on by excessive gallstones, although the exact cause is not clear. As with gallstone disease in general, this condition occurs mostly in overweight female patients of middle age. It is a morphological variant of chronic cholecystitis.
Gallstones can get trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly at the connection between the small and large intestines (ileocecal valve). When a gallstone gets trapped, it can lead to an intestinal obstruction , called gallstone ileus , leading to abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation , and abdominal distension .