Cholelithiasis or the presence of stones in the gall bladder is a common problem all over the world. In few cases it might also be associated with stones in the biliary tract.
Usually stones in the gall bladder are asymptomatic but few may present with pain and fever with or without jaundice.
Some patients present with complications associated with stones in the gall bladder the most serious being pancreatitis.
Pain is localized to the right upper abdomen and might radiate to back and right shoulder.
Pain usually begins after intake of fatty food typically lasts 1-5 hours, increases steadily over 10-20 minutes, and then gradually wanes?
Pain is constant and not relieved by vomiting or antacids, or positional changes.
Also there are some nonspecific symptoms (eg, indigestion, dyspepsia, belching, or bloating)?
Patients with asymptomatic gallstones have no abnormal findings on physical examination.
Patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis or simple gallstones have normal laboratory test results
Ultrasonography is the procedure of choice to diagnose gallbladder stones.
The treatment of gallstones depends upon the stage of the disease. Symptomatic gallstones –need surgical intervention, known as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is a day care procedure in most of the cases. Patient gets admitted in the hospital on the day of surgery. The surgery is done through 3 to 4 small holes. The usual time is between 15 minutes to half an hour. There are usually no diet restrictions after surgery. The pain is minimal and majority can be discharged on the same day of surgery.
Usually there is only one follow up visit and no antibiotics post operatively.
According to Dr. Atul NC Peters, Director and Head of the Department of Minimal Access, Bariatric and Metabolic surgery, one of the best gall bladder surgeons in Delhi, Gall Bladder stones must be removed as soon as they are diagnosed on ultrasonography to avoid any serious complication associated with them in the future.
Laparoscopic Gall Bladder stone surgery in India is being done for more than 25 years now and is a routine in almost all of the surgical centers. Dr. Atul NC Peters recommend this surgery to be done at experienced centers to avoid surgical complications associated with it.
