Gallbladder diseases are among the most common conditions that lead to medical treatment. In most cases, these are benign gallbladder diseases. Every year, 250,000 patients in Germany are affected by gallstone disease requiring treatment.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for gallbladder diseases.
The gallbladder stores the bile produced in the liver.
It consists of:
Picture gallbladder @ bilderzwerg /AdobeStockThe gallbladder can produce up to 1 liter of bile per day. The bile thickens in the gallbladder during the fasting phase. When food is ingested, it releases the bile into the duodenum via the bile duct. There it breaks down dietary fats for digestion.
Other functions of the gallbladder are
One of these is bilirubin, which is produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. This is responsible for the yellow-greenish color of the bile.
The most common gallbladder diseases and diseases of the bile ducts are
Malignant tumors of the gallbladder, gallbladder carcinomas, are much rarer.
The typical symptoms of gallstone disease are colicky pains in the right upper abdomen that occur after eating fatty foods.
This pain can radiate into the back and right shoulder in the shape of a belt and be accompanied by nausea. They are caused by the gallbladder duct being blocked or obstructed by a stone or inflammation.
If the stone passes from the gallbladder duct into the common bile duct, a bile blockage in the liver can follow. This leads to jaundice. A blockage in the pancreas with life-threatening complications is also possible.
Inflammation of the gallbladder is manifested by
Gallbladder stones discovered by chance during an ultrasound examination(sonography) that do not cause any symptoms do not usually require treatment.
However, if the gallbladder disease causes symptoms (colic, upper abdominal discomfort, feeling of pressure), it is necessary to remove the filled gallbladder.
This is the only way doctors can prevent recurring symptoms and chronic irritation as well as severe inflammation of the gallbladder.
Inflammation itself is possible in the gallbladder (cholecystitis), the common bile duct (cholangitis) or the pancreas (pancreatitis).
In most cases (95 percent), the gallbladder is removed laparoscopically (so-called "keyhole technique"). This requires 4 small incisions.
The doctor inserts the working instruments through the small incisions. Exceptions to this procedure are previous operations in the upper abdomen or serious pre-existing conditions.
In these cases, the procedure is performed via an abdominal incision, the so-called "open or conventional" procedure. It is also possible to switch to the open procedure during a laparoscopic operation. This is the case in the event of severe inflammation or anatomical anomalies.
If there is a stone in the common bile duct, the stone must first be removed endoscopically before the operation.
In many cases, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is now possible via a single access ("single port"). Doctors place this port in the navel. Once the wound has healed, it is no longer visible. For this reason, the procedure is also known as "scarless surgery".
The advantages of the procedure are
You must not take any anticoagulant medication such as aspirin, AS 100 or Plavix for at least 10 days before the operation for gallbladder disease.
You should also stop taking diabetes medication from the biguanide group (e.g. Glucophage, Metformin, Mescorit) 48 hours before the operation.
In the case of pre-hospital treatment, you should come to the clinic fasting on the day of the operation.
The operation has no influence on
For this reason, no special diet is required after the operation.
The inpatient stay is usually 4 to 7 days. You should take it easy for 1 to 2 weeks after a laparoscopic procedure.
After open surgery, doctors recommend resting for 2 to 3 months to prevent an umbilical hernia.
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