Gallbladder Stone Surgery in Tarnaka, Secunderabad

Symptoms of Gallbladder Stones

Many people with gallstones do not experience symptoms. However, when stones block the bile duct, they can cause:

• Severe abdominal pain (biliary colic)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion and bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Fever and chills (in case of infection)

Seek emergency assessment for sudden severe abdominal pain, pain with repeated vomiting, fever or chills, or jaundice. Do not wait for a booked consultation. Persistent abdominal pain also needs prompt medical review.

Diagnosis and Testing Before Gallbladder Surgery

Bring your ultrasound and blood-test reports. The clinician selects further tests based on symptoms and whether inflammation, bile-duct stones or another problem is suspected; not every patient needs every test below.

✅ Blood Test – To check for infections, liver function, and bile duct obstruction

✅ Ultrasound – A non-invasive imaging test to detect gallstones and assess gallbladder health

Additional imaging: A plain X-ray is not the usual first test for gallstones. Your clinician will decide whether any additional imaging is needed.

✅ MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – Provides detailed images of the bile ducts and surrounding structures

✅ Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) – A specialized endoscopic test to examine the bile duct and detect small stones

Ask which investigations can be arranged at Tarnaka and whether specialist imaging, EUS or ERCP would require referral. ERCP clears selected bile-duct stones; it does not remove the gallbladder.

Treatment Options for Gallstones

Treatment depends on symptoms, stone location and complications. Observation may be appropriate for symptom-free gallbladder stones. Medicines are used only in selected circumstances and do not reliably replace surgery for symptomatic disease.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Medications: Certain oral medications dissolve gallstones over time, but they are rarely effective.
• Dietary Changes: Reducing fat intake and maintaining a healthy diet may help manage symptoms.
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): A non-invasive method using shock waves to break down stones (used rarely).

Gallbladder Stone Surgery (Cholecystectomy)

When gallstones cause recurrent pain or complications, surgery is the most effective treatment. The two primary surgical options are:

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Keyhole Surgery)

• Minimally invasive procedure with small incisions
• Recovery and pain vary by patient
• Discharge after clinical assessment
• Discuss the risks and possibility of conversion to open surgery

Open Cholecystectomy

• Traditional surgery involving a larger incision
• Recommended for complex cases with severe inflammation or infection
• Longer recovery period (hospital stay of a few days)