What are gallbladder stones?
They are structures that occur as a result of the precipitation of cholesterol or pigments, which are normally dissolved in the gallbladder, if it does not function well.
Why do gallstones form?
The substances in bile are present in a certain ratio and this balance ensures that they remain in a dissolved form. While the gallbladder concentrates the bile, if these ratios are disrupted, or if the gallbladder cannot empty completely as a result of dysfunction, they precipitate in the bile and form stones.
Are all gallstones the same?
It is not. There are different types of gallstones depending on their content. Their diameters may also vary. Various stones can form, from small crystals to stones of several cm in diameter. Approximately 90% of gallstones are cholesterol stones. The rest are pigment (bilirubin) stones. Stones also contain calcium in varying amounts. Normally, gallstones are not seen on plain X-rays. The more calcium the gallstones contain, the more likely they are to be seen on plain film.
Who gets gallstones?
The incidence of gallstones in women between the ages of 20 and 60 is higher than in men.
It is more common in women who have given birth to multiple births.
Age and obesity increase the incidence.
Approximately 10-20% of people over the age of 60 have gallstones.
What are the complaints about gallstones?
The majority of people with gallstones (70-80%) have no complaints. These are detected incidentally during other examinations. These are called "silent stones". The most important complaint they cause is pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, which may also radiate to the back. Sometimes it causes various complications (undesirable side effects) They may be. Small stones can fall into the bile duct and cause an obstruction there, causing jaundice. Some may cause pancreatic complaints. Sometimes they can cause complaints such as bloating, indigestion, and intolerance to especially fatty foods.
How are gallstones diagnosed?
Nowadays, the easiest and effortless diagnosis of gallstones is with ultrasonography.
What is the treatment of gallbladder stones?
The main reason for the formation of gallbladder stones is the diseased bladder, as the disorder in the concentration ability of the bladder. For this reason, the main treatment is surgical removal of the gallbladder, that is, cholecystectomy. Thus, both the gallbladder stone is removed and the sac that can form stones again is eliminated.
What do open cholecystectomy (open surgery) and closed cholecystectomy (closed surgery) mean?
Open cholecystectomy, or open surgery as it is popularly known, is the process of entering the abdominal cavity through a surgical incision made in the abdominal wall and removing the gallbladder under general anesthesia. A period of 5-7 days is needed for the patient to recover and be discharged.
Closed cholecystectomy, closed surgery, or as it is known medically, "laparoscopic cholecystectomy", is a method introduced in the 1990s. In this case, the procedure is to remove the gallbladder. However, there is no need to make a large incision in the abdominal wall. The entire surgery is performed with instruments inserted into the abdomen through 3 to 5 holes and a camera, while the surgery is watched on a television screen. Although this procedure is performed under general anesthesia (by unconsciousness), the patient's comfort and recovery is much better since there is no large incision in the abdominal wall. The patient can go home on the same day.
Is it open surgery? , should closed surgery be preferred?
Today, closed surgery (laparoscopic) is the standard method. A safe closed surgery should be your first choice. In fact, it usually shouldn't even be the patient's choice. Your doctor, whose first duty is not to harm his patient, naturally prefers surgery through a few holes, finding it less harmful for you, rather than cutting your abdomen.
Can anyone have closed surgery?
I can't be. In those who have previously had upper abdominal surgery (e.g. stomach, liver, etc.), there may be adhesions in the abdomen and this may make the application of this method difficult. In cases where increased intra-abdominal pressure (because it is inflated with gas) is harmful (some heart diseases), this surgery may not be performed.
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