Why would I need gallbladder surgery?
You might require gallbladder surgery if you have gallbladder disease that isn't responding to less invasive treatments or for which other methods are unsuitable.
Your gallbladder is a small pouch that stores bile, a fluid made in your liver that you need to help digest fat. Short tubes called bile ducts transfer bile to your small intestine when you need it.
What conditions can gallbladder surgery treat?
Conditions that affect your gallbladder come under the umbrella of gallbladder disease. Some of the ones most likely to need surgery include:
Gallstones
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are the most common gallbladder disease. The stones consist of tiny particles circulating in your blood that collect and form masses in your gallbladder. Gallstones come in various sizes, from a grain of sand up to a golf ball, and typically cause problems if they block up your bile ducts.
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is acute gallbladder inflammation. It might be due to gallstones or other causes, such as gallbladder cancer. Chronic cholecystitis develops if your gallbladder shrinks and stops functioning as it should because of frequent attacks of acute cholecystitis.
Choledocholithiasis
Choledocholithiasis occurs when gallstones get stuck in your bile ducts or the neck of your gallbladder. Bile builds up behind the gallstones causing your gallbladder to become distended and inflamed. This condition can be excruciating and cause jaundice, fever, and vomiting.
Gallbladder cancer might also require surgery to remove the tumor.
How is gallbladder disease diagnosed?
Diagnosing gallbladder disease involves having a physical examination and undergoing tests that include:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
- Elastography ultrasounds
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Gallbladder pain is often severe, and you might require prescription medication to keep it better controlled. If the pain is extreme or recurs frequently, surgery is often the best solution.
What type of gallbladder surgery might I need?
Fortunately, your gallbladder isn't a vital organ, so Dr. Mullangi often performs gallbladder removal surgery. Wherever possible, he uses minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques to remove your gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), but may opt for open gallbladder surgery if necessary.
Dr. Mullangi can also carry out gallbladder cancer surgery. If the tumor is small and hasn't spread, he can perform resectable surgery, taking out the mass and repairing your gallbladder. If the tumor is too large or your cancer has spread, the cancer is unresectable, so you'll need to have gallbladder removal surgery.
In many cases, Dr. Mullangi can enhance the accuracy of your operation using robotic-assisted technology.
To find out more about your gallbladder surgery options, call Siva Prasad Mullangi, MD, today or book an appointment online.
