What is the function of the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a hollow organ where bile produced by the liver is stored. Bile is an important secretion for the digestion of dietary fats.

In a fatty meal, the gallbladder contracts with the stimulus of the hormone called ‘cholecystokinin’ by the digestive system and allows the stored bile to pass through the duct called the cystic duct to the main bile duct and from there to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestines.

Cholesterol and pigments in the bile precipitate in the gallbladder over time, causing the accumulation of mud-like thick fluids and the formation of gallstones in the advanced stage.

When gallstones are not treated, it can cause inflammation of the gallbladder by blocking the bile duct, and it may cause various complications such as jaundice, biliary tract inflammation and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) as a result of preventing both the bile flow and the discharge of the pancreatic secretions by falling from the gallbladder to the bile ducts.

Fortunately, in the vast majority of patients, some signs and symptoms appear before these complications develop, and early intervention is possible.

What are the Symptoms of Gallstones?

Generally, newly formed biliary sludge and gallbladder stones do not give any symptoms. Academic studies have shown that about half of all gallstones do not cause any signs or symptoms during a person’s lifetime.

A pain specific to the biliary system called ‘biliary colic’ is highly indicative. Other gallbladder-related pain features;

• Sudden onset, usually after meals
• Starting in the upper middle and right part of the abdomen and sometimes hitting the back,
• Causes severe pain for 15-20 minutes, then continues for up to 5 hours,
• Vomiting, antacid drugs that prevent heartburn, defecation, flatulence, not relieved by changing position,
• May cause excessive sweating and nausea,
• Pain over time.

What are the Symptoms of Gallbladder Inflammation?

When the gallbladder becomes inflamed, it can cause pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, vomiting, and fever.

Inflammation may develop due to obstruction of the gallbladder duct, and this causes gallbladder inflammation called acute cholecystitis. The most common symptoms of gallbladder inflammation are:

It can cause severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

One of the symptoms of gallbladder inflammation is high fever. Symptoms such as a stinging sensation in the back may also occur, especially when breathing deeply.

How is Gallbladder Stone Diagnosed?

Your medical history will be taken and a physical examination will be performed regarding your complaints.

After the examination findings and your medical history, in addition to some blood tests, radiological examinations such as ultrasonography, computed tomography and MR imaging, if necessary, can be used for definitive diagnosis and support.

How is Gallbladder Stone Treatment Performed?

The basic treatment of gallstones is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, which is the storage of bile.

The timing of the treatment may vary depending on the type of treatment, the symptoms caused by the gallstones in the gallbladder, and the general condition of the patient.

How is Gallbladder Surgery Performed?

A method called cholecystectomy is most commonly applied to treat gallstones and the complications they cause. Cholecystectomy is a commonly used surgical method. With this method;

• Gallstones and sludge in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis)
• Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
• Large gallbladder polyps
• Conditions such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) due to gallstones can be treated.

Cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed operations. The open surgical method is rarely used in obligatory conditions today. The most common treatment is laparoscopic (closed) cholecystectomy.

In classical laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, closed surgery is performed with the help of a trocar and a camera inserted through three or four skin incisions of approximately 1 cm in width.

The new application of laparoscopic (closed) cholecystectomy with advanced technology and experience is single port (entry) cholecystectomy. This method, which can be defined as scarless cholecystectomy, is performed only with a single incision of 2 cm from the navel.

The advantage of this method is that the operation scar on the belly button can be seen only when carefully looked after the healing and excellent aesthetic results are obtained. Single port cholecystectomy service is offered in our hospital.

After Gallbladder Surgery

After gallbladder surgery, if there is no complication or abnormality, patients can usually be discharged on the same day or the next day.

In particular, thanks to closed, laparoscopic surgery, it is ensured that our patients return to their daily activities much earlier.

How Is Nutrition After Gallbladder Surgery?

You can make your digestive system work easier by making some changes in your diet after gallbladder surgery.

You need to stay away from and avoid high-fat and processed foods that are more difficult to digest. You can add some of these foods to your diet gradually, especially in the months after surgery.

Traceless Gallbladder Surgery

In our hospital, you can have a closed cholecystectomy without a trace (with a single entrance from the navel). Please contact us for more information about the surgery.

Possibility of early surgery in patients with Acute Cholecystitis

In the case of acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), there are two surgical treatment approaches.

The first approach is to wait for 6-8 weeks for the inflammatory condition to regress with antibiotics and symptomatic drug therapy, which is called cooling therapy, and then to perform closed gallbladder surgery. This method is preferred in many centers.

The other method is to perform closed gallbladder surgery in the early period (in the first week) of gallbladder inflammation. The advantages of this approach are;

• Quick relief of patients’ pain complaints,
• Prevention of long-term use of antibiotics during the waiting period for surgery in the cooling approach
• Eliminate repetitive hospital admissions during the waiting period
• To prevent labor loss due to gallbladder inflammation
• To prevent gallstones from falling into the bile duct during the waiting period and causing new clinical conditions such as biliary tract inflammation or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

References: Şahin, M., Erbilen, M., Hasanoğlu, A., Ertaş, E., Bülbüloğlu, E., Şehitoğlu, M., & Kalı, K. (1997). Safra taşları ve risk faktörleri. Journal Of Turgut Ozal Medical Center, 4(1).