Gallstone disease is the formation of stones in the gallbladder, leading to chronic or acute inflammation of the gallbladder.
Causes of stones can be:
- unhealthy diet;
- innervation disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- chronic inflammation;
- changes in the composition of bile.
As a result, crystals of bile pigments and cholesterol are formed, which grow and turn into stones of various shapes and sizes.
In the presence of stones, the gallbladder stops working forever as an organ of supply and concentration of bile, and turns into a bag with stones and congestive bile, no longer participating in digestion.
Symptoms of gallstones
As a rule, patients with gallstones describe symptoms such as:
- pain in the right hypochondrium;
- belching and feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
- nausea, often with vomiting;
- general malaise and weakness;
- temperature rise;
- bloating, heartburn;
Pain may depend on the stage of the disease. Patients complain about:
- dull or cutting pain;
- back pain;
- pain extending to the area of the scapula;
- pain is projected into the shoulder and collarbone.
If you have one or more symptoms, you’ll need to see a gastroenterologist or surgeon for a physical examination and consultation and an ultrasound scan. Based on the research, the doctor will select the necessary and effective treatment.
Stones in the gallbladder may be for some time without symptoms and not bother, but you must remember that the inflammation of the gallbladder is present!
Acute cholecystitis
Complication of gallstones is an acute cholecystitis, and this is extremely dangerous. Regardless of the size of the stones, the time of their formation, it is possible:
- the development of an acute pain attack;
- development of purulent inflammation under the liver, up to peritonitis;
- stones can block the ducts with the development of jaundice (a very dangerous complication).
In the Mediland Clinic for Laser and Endoscopic Surgery, the treatment of gallstone disease is performed in all forms of the disease, including emergency care for acute cholecystitis.
In our clinic, patients who are indicated to undergo surgical treatment for gallstone disease are performed a laparoscopic surgery through punctures in the skin, without an incision.
In the case of "purulent forms" of the disease (in complicated forms of the disease, in gallbladder ruptures), surgeons of Mediland Medical Center are ready to perform any operation to eliminate peritonitis.
Emergency assistance is provided 24/7.
The cost of operations is from 650 euro.
It is important to know! Planned surgery is easier and is better tolerated than urgent surgery in acute gallbladder inflammation.
Surgery to remove the gallbladder
At the Mediland clinic for the surgical treatment of gallstone disease, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed, which is the “gold standard” for the treatment of this disease.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an endoscopic operation in which the gallbladder with stones is removed through punctures (small incisions) of the abdominal wall, which are sutured with a resorbable cosmetic suture. Thus, there are practically no traces on the skin after the operation.
Many patients worry about the gallbladder removing. It’s not worth worrying about, after undergoing cholecystectomy, the patient’s quality of life does not suffer.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
Hospital stay is 2–3 days.
During the month after the operation, the patient must follow a diet (table No. 5), then the diet is expanded to the usual diet.
The estimated cost of such treatment is 650-1000 euros.
Preparation for cholecystectomy
- surgeon's conultation;
- examination of the anesthesiologist;
- lab tests;
- ECG (electrocardiography).
Analyzes and diagnostic procedures can be performed directly in the clinic.
A day before the operation, the patient takes only light food. Additionally, a laxative cleanser may be prescribed by a doctor.
On the day of surgery, eating is prohibited, the patient comes on an empty stomach.
