Biliary colic (Gallstone related abdominal pain)
A healthy gallbladder will contract when we eat to supply the bile juice via the bile duct to the duodenum for digestion.
Biliary colic is abdominal pain that occurs when a gallstone blocks the outlet of the gallbladder; one will experience colicky/intermittent pain over the right side of the upper abdomen (sometimes the mid-upper abdomen). The pain can sometimes radiate to the right shoulder or become constant when the stone jams at the exit of the gallbladder. However, if the stone drops back into the gallbladder, the pain may disappear and happens again when it is jammed.
Biliary colic is the most common presentation for patients with symptomatic gallstones. Biliary colic is usually the earliest presentation or warning sign of a more complex gallstone related conditions in future.
Biliary colic can affect one’s normal life very much due to the unbearable frequent attack of the pain. The more complex biliary-related conditions occur when infections set in or when the stone drops into the bile duct and causes obstruction of the bile drainage system.
Treatment:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment for biliary colic. The surgery is performed via keyholes to remove the gallbladder.
