Gallstone & Biliary Disease

Gallstone disease occurs when solid particles, known as gallstones, form in the gallbladder — a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile. These stones develop when bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin or not enough bile salts, causing the mixture to harden. Many people with gallstones have no symptoms, but when a stone blocks a bile duct, causes inflammation or gets infected, it can trigger sudden, intense abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. In some cases, complications such as infection or pancreatitis can occur. Risk factors include age, obesity, rapid weight loss, certain medical conditions and a family history of gallstones. Treatment ranges from watchful monitoring for symptom-free stones to procedures like surgery to remove the gallbladder when attacks are frequent or severe.

Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder, most commonly performed to treat gallstone disease and its complications, such as recurrent pain, infection or inflammation. The operation is usually done laparoscopically, using several small incisions through which a camera and fine instruments are inserted into the abdomen, allowing safe dissection and excision of the gallbladder with minimal trauma. This minimally invasive approach typically results in faster recovery, less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays compared to open surgery. In some cases, such as severe inflammation or scarring, an open cholecystectomy may be required through a larger incision. Most people recover fully without long-term digestive problems, as bile can still flow directly from the liver into the intestine.