Cholecystitis

Could it be gallstones (cholelithiasis)?

The pear-shaped organ under your liver makes 3-5 cups of bile daily and sends it to the small intestine to assist in the digestion of food.

Sometimes, hardened digestive fluid can form in the gallbladder and block bile flow, resulting in pain, swelling, and a risk of infection should it rupture.

What are the symptoms?

A sharp pain in the upper right abdomen
A low-grade fever
Having nausea and bloating
Jaundice (skin yellowing) can occur when bile stones are in the bile duct

Diagnosis and Possible Tests

Your primary care provider will discuss any pain or stomach issues and may refer you to our general surgery team. Additional tests may include a blood test (CBC), a liver function test, a coagulation profile, an abdominal ultrasound (typical—do not eat for 8 hours before the test), or a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan (HIDA scan). These test results can inform your provider and surgeon of your level of risk and need for treatment.

Management & treatment

Please schedule an appointment for a consultation to assess the urgency of your condition.

Surgical Treatment Options:

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through small incisions in the abdomen.
An open cholecystectomy is when the gallbladder is removed through the right side of the abdomen and under the ribcage.
Nonsurgical treatment options may include endoscopic removal of the stone(s). For those with gallstones revealed through testing, your provider may monitor your condition and encourage increased physical activity.

Contact us to learn more.

You’ve had painful attacks caused by gallstones.

To treat the problem, your surgeon may want to remove your gallbladder. This surgery is called a cholecystectomy.

Taking out the gallbladder can ease the pain. It will also help stop future attacks. You can live a healthy life without your gallbladder. You may also be able to go back to eating foods you liked before your gallbladder problems started.

Surgery Process

Before the Surgery

Be prepared:

Tell your healthcare provider what medicines you take. Include both prescription medicines and those bought over the counter. Also include vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Be sure to mention if you take prescription blood thinners. This includes warfarin, clopidogrel, and aspirin.
Have any tests your provider asks for, such as blood tests.
Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before your surgery. You may need to take some medicine with sips of water. Talk with your healthcare provider.

Day of the Surgery

When you arrive, you will get ready for surgery:

An IV (intravenous) line will be put into a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medicine.
An anesthesiologist will talk with you about anesthesia. This is a medicine used to prevent pain. You will get general anesthesia. This puts you into a state like deep sleep through the procedure.

During the Surgery

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This is the most common. During surgery, 2 to 4 small cuts (incisions) are made. A thin tube with a camera is used. This is called a laparoscope. The scope is put through one of the cuts. It sends images to a video screen. Surgical tools are put through other cuts. The gallbladder is taken out using the scope and these tools.

Open Cholecystectomy

After the Surgery

You will be sent to a room to wake up from the anesthesia. You will likely go home the same day. In some cases, you will need to stay overnight. If you had an open cholecystectomy, you might need to stay in the hospital for a few days. When you are released to go home, have a family member or friend ready to drive you. If you are told to take medicines after surgery, do so as told. If you are told to do breathing exercises, do them as directed. You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit.

Follow-Up