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Gallbladder Stones & Gallbladder Disease
Gallstones can cause pain in the upper right abdomen, often after oily meals, and may lead to infection or jaundice. When treatment is needed, the gallbladder is usually removed by laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).
About this condition
Gallstones form when the composition of the bile changes. When a stone blocks the mouth of the gallbladder, digestion triggers severe pain in the right side of the abdomen. If it is left untreated for long, complications can develop, such as inflammation of the gallbladder or a stone stuck in the bile duct.
Treatment
Once symptoms appear, an ultrasound is used to locate the stones. When treatment is needed, the gallbladder is removed laparoscopically (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The whole gallbladder is taken out through small incisions instead of a large cut, so patients recover quickly and can go home the next day or the day after.
Common symptoms
- Pain in the upper right abdomen after oily food
- Pain felt in the right shoulder or the back
- Bloating, nausea or a burning feeling after meals
- Yellowing of the eyes or the skin
When to see a doctor
- Fever with chills and pain on the right side of the abdomen are signs of gallbladder inflammation — do not delay
- Yellow eyes or skin suggest a stone may be stuck in the bile duct
- Book an appointment for repeated right-sided pain or gallstone attacks
If a stone causes complications, it may need to be removed endoscopically or by another method.
Related services
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