gallbladder stones

Gallstones are hardened body fluids, such as cholesterol stones, pigment/bilirubin stones, and mixed forms. They can form in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts.

The most common forms:

• gallbladder stones (cholecystolithiasis),
• gallstones (cholelithiasis),
• bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis),
• pigment stones,
• cholesterol stones,
• sand in the gallbladder.

Every fourth woman over 50 suffers from gallstone disease, men get sick less often.

Prevention

Healthy (low-fat) food, normal weight, if necessary, treatment of the underlying disease.

Symptoms

30% patients have complete absence of symptoms of the disease, pain in the right hypochondrium. Severe pain: biliary colic, with the development of jaundice (ikterus): dark urine, light stools, fever, vomiting.

Diagnostics

General examination, ultrasound examination (sonography), blood tests, computed tomography (CT), examination of the bile ducts (BCPG).

Sometimes endoscopy and/or x-rays are needed.

Treatment

• In the absence of complaints, there is no need for treatment.
• For colic: first painkillers and "relaxing" medicines.
• Complaints: removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
• With stones in the bile ducts (choledocholithiasis): endoscopy (ERCP).
• Only in an exceptional case: medicines (stone-dissolving drugs), crushing.

Surgery: minimally invasive (with a minimum degree of penetration into the body) through laparoscopy, laparoscopic operations, low risk, almost no complications, fast recovery.