What Happens if Gallbladder Stones Are Not Removed
Like every health issue, gallbladder stones should not be overlooked.
The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile for the liver and aids digestion, ensuring a seamless process.
However, unlike most organs, the gall bladder can be removed in a process known as cholecystectomy if found to be causing more harm than good. This comes with little to no side effects.
One of the problems that may be experienced with the gall bladder is the gall bladder or gall bladder stone.
Symptoms of Gallstones
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience these symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Biliary colic
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Severe abdominal pain to below the breastbone
- Dark urine and light-colored stools
- sharp stomach pain after eating
- Indigestion
- Burping
- Fever and chills
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, your healthcare provider will examine you and conduct the necessary tests for proper diagnosis. They’ll let you know if they recommend cholecystectomy for you.
The first step to treating something is preventing it; you can prevent gallstones by avoiding fatty foods and maintaining a healthy diet.
Treatment Options
Treatment includes medication to dissolve gallstones in less severe cases.
- Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
A cholecystectomy is a joint surgery used to remove the gall bladder and treat gallstones. It is a simple procedure that involves making small incisions (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) or a large one (open cholecystectomy) to remove the gall bladder.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Most patients go home the same day as surgery, provided they can eat, drink, and walk without assistance. Sometimes, a one-night stay in the hospital is needed. It takes about a week to fully recover from the surgery itself, lasting 1-2 hours.
Open cholecystectomy:
During an open cholecystectomy, the surgeon makes a 6-inch (15-centimetre) incision in your abdomen below your ribs. The muscle and tissue are pulled back to reveal your liver and gallbladder.
Your surgeon then removes the gallbladder. The larger incision requires a more extended hospital stay for proper healing. After this procedure, patients spend 2 to 3 days in the hospital recovering. Once discharged, it may take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully.
Note that cholecystectomy is not always the go-to for complications with the gall bladder. It will only be recommended in case of the following:
- Gallstones in the gallbladder and bile duct
- An inflammation or rupture of the gallbladder and pancreas, infection, and cancer.
Possible Effects of Gallbladder Removal
- Bile leak, bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs such as the bile duct, liver and small intestine
- Risks of general anesthesia, such as blood clots and pneumonia.
- Some people may experience occasional loose stool after the procedure. This generally resolves over time.
- Pancreatitis (irritation of your pancreas).
- Bile reflux (traces of bile escape into your stomach).
- Diarrhoea – This can happen as your digestive system adjusts to its new structure.
- Constipation – This can occur as a side effect of pain medications.
- Gas and gas pain – This is a side effect of the gas they use in laparoscopic surgery.
- Nausea – This can be an effect of your pain medications.
Your healthcare provider can offer advice on how to manage these short-term conditions.
Your risk of complications depends on your overall health and the reason for your cholecystectomy.
Complications of Untreated Gallstones
- Gallbladder Inflammation (Cholecystitis):
An acute one may cause severe abdominal pain and lead to gallbladder rupture. At the same time, a chronic one can cause pain and digestive issues.
- Biliary Colic:
Severe pain in the abdomen due to temporary blockage of the bile duct. This Blocked Bile Duct (Choledocholithiasis) can then cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), severe pain, and infection.
- Pancreatitis:
An inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) due to the blocking of the pancreas. It can cause pain and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
- Gallbladder Abscess:
If the gallbladder becomes infected and filled with pus, it can form an abscess. This condition is severe and requires prompt treatment, often involving surgery and antibiotics.
A severely inflamed or infected gallbladder can develop a hole (perforation), which can lead to peritonitis, which can be life-threatening.
- Gallbladder Cancer:
Although rare, chronic inflammation and irritation of the gallbladder from gallstones can increase the risk of gallbladder cancer over time.
