Gallstone conditions

There are a variety of gallstone conditions known to us today. They include biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, acute gangrenous perforated cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, Mirizzi syndrome types 1-4, bile duct stones (cholangitis), gallstone pancreatitis, as well as gallstone ileus.

At LS Lee Surgery, we aim to offer the best-suited treatments for any kind of gallstone condition you may experience. Here are a few commonly used treatment methods for each of these aforementioned gallstone conditions:

Biliary Colic: This is a condition wherein gallstones develop and block the bile duct, causing intense abdominal pain and discomfort. The most commonly used, and effective, treatment for biliary colic is a cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gall bladder). It can be done either traditionally or laparoscopically. A cholecystectomy is beneficial not only in treating biliary colic, but also in preventing recurrence of gallstones.
Acute Cholecystitis: This is a condition wherein the gall bladder becomes inflamed, usually due to gallstones blocking the cystic duct. There are various ways to treat acute cholecystitis, including antibiotics, intravenous fluids, as well as a cholecystectomy to remove the gall bladder.
Acute Gangrenous Perforated Cholecystitis: A more severe form of acute cholecystitis, this is a condition wherein the gall bladder walls undergo extreme tension due to the organ’s abnormal swelling. A cholecystectomy can help alleviate the discomfort and pain, and treat the condition.
Chronic Cholecystitis: This is a condition wherein the gall bladder becomes irritated and inflamed from time to time, over a long period of time. It can be treated with antibiotics, oral dissolution therapy, as well as surgery (cholecystectomy).
Mirizzi Syndrome Types 1-4: This is a rare gallstone condition wherein a gallstone grows abnormally large such that is compresses surrounding ducts to create a blockage from outside it. It can be safely treated by surgically removing the gall bladder (cholecystectomy).
Bile Duct Stone (Cholangitis): Bile duct stones is a condition wherein stones develop in the bile ducts. This can cause pain and discomfort in the abdominal region, amongst other complications. If it gets worse, it can infections and inflammations in the region, leading to a condition called cholangitis. It can be treated through various methods including antibiotics, intravenous fluids, bile duct drainage, as well as surgery to remove the blocked ducts.
Gallstone Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is a condition wherein the pancreas become inflamed due to various reasons. When caused by the presence of gallstones, it is called gallstone pancreatitis. There are various treatment options for gallstone pancreatitis, including IV fluids, gall bladder removal surgery, as well as Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Gallstone Ileus: This is an unusual gallstone condition wherein an intestinal obstruction occurs due to the presence of gallstones in the intestines. Often, the most common treatment used for gallstone ileus is the surgical removal of gallstones from the region.

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