They are formed inside the gall bladder as a result of precipitation of cholesterol and bile salts from the bile.
Types of gallstones:
- Cholesterol stones
- Pigment stones
- Mixed stones - the most common type. They are comprised of cholesterol and salts.
Symptoms:
- No symptoms.
- Abdominal bloating
- Recurring intolerance of fatty foods
- Steady pain in the right upper abdomen that increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Indigestion & belching.
Diagnosis:
- Ultrasound of abdomen
Common complications causes:
- Acute infection of the gallbladder
- Pus formation in the gallbladder
- Jaundice when the stone block the bile duct that connects the liver to the small intestine
- Severe, life-threatening infection of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Treatment:
- For symptomatic gallstones operation is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
- The surgeon makes few tiny incisions in the abdomen and inserts surgical instruments and a miniature video camera into the abdomen.
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