The gallbladder is located in the right upper abdomen and is a reservoir for bile, which is used to resolve fats in the bowels. In in some patients (when the bile contains too much cholesterol) gallstones can develop in the gallbladder, which can become symptomatic in case of an obstruction in the outlet of the gallbladder causing symptomatic gallstones or an infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or an obstruction of the bile duct (causing cholangitis or pancreatitis).

Causes

Obesity, rapid weight loss, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history, medications (oral anticonceptives, statins).

Symptoms

Dyspepsia, aching or painful pain in the right upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the back or shoulder, nausea & vomiting, fever in case of gallbladder inflammation), and sometimes yellow discoloration of the skin, brawn urine and white stools (in case of bile duct obstruction).

Diagnostics

Blood tests (infection markers and liver function tests) and upper abdominal wall ultrasound. In some cases an CT scan, or MRI (MRCP), HIDA scan or ERCP can be indicated.

Treatment

• Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually the treatment of choice as it will relief the symptoms and will cure the gallbladder problem that otherwise always will come back and might even lead to potentially life-threatening pancreatitis or cholangitis.
• In rare cases of severe gallbladder infection or in case the patient is in a bad shape a percutaneous drainage of the gallbladder by the radiologist might be indicated to led the infection cool down first.
• In cases of an obstruction of the bile duct and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) might be needed to remove the obstruction gallstones from the pancreatic duct.

Risks of the surgery

Damage to the bile duct or intestines, post-cholecystectomy pain, wound infection, Hematoma/bleeding, incisional hernia.

Why chose Professor Guido Mannaerts MD PhD

Is a Netherlands double board certified gastrointestinal and oncological surgeon with who is dedicated to minimal scar incision surgical approaches.
As being an Adjunct Professor at the UAE University and a broad research background Professor Guido is aiming for state of the art surgical care using the latest techniques.
His pleasant, honest, patient-centred care and being committed to achieve the best results for you makes you feel being treated like a family expert.