Gallbladder: Conditions and Treatment
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped hollow organ located on the right side of the abdomen just below the liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to store and release bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that is produced by the liver to aid in digestion. The gallbladder, along with the liver and bile ducts, make up the hepatobiliary system.
What are Some Conditions Affecting the Gallbladder?
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is a condition where the gallbladder becomes inflamed. It is characterized by intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, and may be accompanied by fever, loss of appetite and jaundice. Cholecystitis is often caused by a gallstone blocking the bile duct. It can be acute or chronic. Gallbladder removal surgery is the most effective treatment for cholecystitis.
Gallstones
Gallstones, or cholelithiasis, are solid deposits of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in the gallbladder. They vary in number and size, and can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball. Smaller gallstones are asymptomatic and can be naturally passed out the body. Larger stones, however, can block the bile duct, causing severe pain. In such cases, gallstones removal through gallbladder removal surgery is necessary.
Choledocholithiasis
Choledocholithiasis refers to gallstones that can be found in the bile duct. Similar to gallstones, these bile duct stones can range in size and number, and may be symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their size. Stones can also lodge themselves in the bile duct, which causes abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, and fever. The bile can also become infected, and may lead to pancreatitis or biliary scarring (cirrhosis) if left untreated. Singapore gallbladder surgery is recommended here as well.
Gallstone Ileus
Common among the elderly aged 65 years old and above, gallstone ileus is a condition in which large gallstones (around 2.5cm) travel into the small intestine and cause a small bowel obstruction. This is a medical emergency that is characterized by severe abdominal pain and distension.
Gallbladder Abscess
Empyema is a condition where gallstones are also accompanied by the presence of abscess or pus, which is a collection of dead tissues, white blood cells and bacteria. It causes intense abdominal pain. Gallbladder abscesses should be treated as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to the other parts of the gallbladder and other organs of the body.
Gallstone Pancreatitis
Gallbladder pancreatitis is a condition in which gallstones block the pancreas as they make their way down to the small intestine. This obstruction causes the pancreas to become inflamed, resulting in severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice. The main treatment for gallstone pancreatitis is Singapore gallbladder surgery or endoscopy.
Perforated Gallbladder
The moment gallstones show symptoms and cause obstructions, they should be treated immediately. Otherwise, they can lead to a perforated gallbladder, where a hole or tear develops in the wall of the gallbladder. A perforated gallbladder is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Gallbladder Polyps
Polyps are benign growths that can develop in the gallbladder. They are rarely a cause for concern and will go away on their own without treatment. Larger gallbladder polyps, however, should be removed by a gallbladder surgeon in Singapore to reduce the risk of complications like cancer.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is a condition where cancer cells develop and multiply in the gallbladder. It is relatively rare, but can spread quickly if not detected and treated early. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss and jaundice. Gallbladder cancer treatment involves gallbladder removal surgery that sometimes includes the removal of some parts of the liver.
What Are the Treatments for Gallbladder Diseases?
For mild gallbladder diseases, symptoms may be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as medications.
Gallstones can be removed through gallstones surgery or lithotripsy, which uses soundwaves to break down larger stones into smaller pieces, allowing them to be easily passed out of the body.
In most cases, a gallbladder surgeon in Singapore will recommend gallbladder removal surgery or cholecystectomy. This is a safe and effective way to treat the root cause of the problem. It can be done through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery, which promises better recovery outcomes.
Dr Wong Jen San
Consultant Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgeon
MBChB (UK), MMed (S’pore), Msc (S’pore), FRCS (Edin), FAMS
Upon graduating from the University of Leicester and completing his basic surgical training in the United Kingdom, Dr Wong went on to complete advanced training in Singapore before embarking on his HMDP clinical fellowship in Japan—specializing in living donor liver transplantation.
Prior to establishing his own practice, Dr Wong was previously a consultant with the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary & Transplant Surgery at SGH, an adjunct assistant professor at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and a visiting consultant at the National Cancer Centre Singapore.
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The Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic System
is a Complex and Intricate One
is a Complex and Intricate One
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