Main Causes of Gallstones
1. Skipping breakfast regularly
2. Obese women
3. Abnormal bile duct anatomy
4. Pregnancy
Some people may have no symptoms for years after developing gallstones. However, if it leads to cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or fever may occur. Gallstone-induced cholecystitis can sometimes be mistaken for stomach discomfort and misdiagnosed as a gastric problem, leading to missed or delayed diagnosis.

Common Dangers of Gallstones
1. Abdominal pain
o Often presents as intermittent cramping pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes radiating to the right back.
o After consuming fatty or heavy meals, stones may block the gallbladder neck, preventing bile from flowing out. This increases pressure in the gallbladder, leading to pain.

2. Common bile duct obstruction
o Stones that drop into the common bile duct may block it, causing jaundice or even acute cholangitis.
o In severe cases, this can lead to septic shock and life-threatening conditions.

3. Gallstone pancreatitis
o Small stones blocking the lower bile duct can cause swelling and obstruct the pancreatic duct, leading to acute pancreatitis.
4. Gallbladder cancer
o Long-term, repeated inflammation from gallstones increases the risk of gallbladder necrosis, perforation, or even gallbladder cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment
• Ultrasound is the first-choice examination to detect gallstones.
• Once gallstones are diagnosed, treatment should not be delayed. Surgical guidelines recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the preferred treatment.
o Compared to traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery offers advantages such as less pain, minimal scarring, and quicker recovery.

Concerns After Surgery

Some patients worry about the effects of removing the gallbladder. After the surgery, mild symptoms like bloating or diarrhea may occur in some cases but typically resolve within 1 week to 3 months. Maintaining a regular, low-fat diet can help.

I have been performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at HNGV for almost one year and have successfully treated over 50 patients.

My outpatient clinic is open every Tuesday morning. Patients with hepatobiliary conditions are welcome to visit me!