Understanding the condition
Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile. A stone can block the gallbladder outlet or the main bile duct. This may cause pain beneath the right ribs or in the upper middle abdomen, often with nausea or vomiting.
Once gallstones have caused pain, further attacks are common and can lead to inflammation, jaundice or pancreatitis. Bloating or indigestion alone may have another cause, so your symptom pattern is checked before surgery is planned.
How it is assessed
Assessment usually includes an ultrasound scan and liver blood tests. A special MRI scan called MRCP may be needed if a bile-duct stone is suspected. The surgeon also reviews your pain pattern, previous attacks, other illnesses and earlier abdominal operations.
When is surgery considered?
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is usually recommended when stones cause typical pain or complications. Acute gallbladder inflammation often requires hospital treatment and, when the patient is fit, surgery during the same admission. Stones in the main bile duct generally require clearance even if they have not caused pain. This is usually done by ERCP, a camera procedure through the mouth, before or after gallbladder removal.
Surgery is advised when stones cause pain or complications. Diet changes and medicines do not remove the stones, so timely surgery helps prevent emergency admissions.
Surgery and important risks
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through small abdominal incisions under general anaesthesia. The gallbladder is removed rather than taking out the stones alone. If inflammation or anatomy makes laparoscopic surgery unsafe, a larger open incision may be needed.
A bile-duct stone can be cleared during surgery or by an endoscopic procedure called ERCP. Risks of gallbladder surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots, bile leakage, retained stones and injury to the bile duct, bowel or nearby organs. Your own risk depends on inflammation, previous surgery and general health.
Recovery and follow-up
After a planned laparoscopic operation, most patients are discharged after a one-day admission. Walking and light activity start early. Desk work is usually possible in 5–7 days; manual work and open surgery need longer.
You can live normally without a gallbladder. Small meals may feel easier at first, and persistent diarrhoea or digestive symptoms should be reviewed. Seek prompt advice after surgery for worsening pain, fever, jaundice, vomiting, breathlessness or wound discharge.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Go to an emergency department for severe or persistent upper abdominal pain, especially with vomiting, fever, shivering, jaundice or pain spreading to the back. These symptoms may mean an inflamed gallbladder, a blocked bile duct or pancreatitis.