Gallstones - Types, Symptoms, Treatment and Surgery | Dr. Mayank Madan

CK Birla Hospital
20 Jul 202005:47
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Mayank Madan discusses gallstones, highlighting that 95% are cholesterol-based, unlike kidney stones. He explains that once formed, gallstones cannot be dissolved and can cause complications if they pass through the bile duct. The most common symptoms include acidity, bloating, and a feeling of fullness. The treatment is surgical removal of the gallbladder through laparoscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive and typically requires only a brief hospital stay. Dr. Madan emphasizes that the size of the stones influences the risk of complications, and diabetic patients are more prone to issues.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Gallstones are primarily composed of cholesterol (95%) with a minority being bilirubinate stones associated with blood decomposition diseases.
  • 🔥 Gallstones are distinctly different from kidney stones in their composition and pathology, with kidney stones mainly consisting of minerals.
  • 😷 Common symptoms of gallstones include acidity, bloating, burping, feeling full after eating, and in advanced cases, pain radiating from the abdomen to the back, along with nausea and vomiting.
  • 💻 Once gallstones form, they typically cannot be dissolved, except in the case of sludge formation where certain pharmaceutical agents may help.
  • 🚨 Passing gallstones through the bile duct can lead to serious complications like fever, jaundice, sepsis, and pancreas infection.
  • 🛡‍⚖️ Surgical removal is the primary treatment for gallstones, regardless of their size, although the size can influence symptom severity and complication rates.
  • 🔴 Diabetic patients are more susceptible to gallstone complications and may need to consider surgery even if asymptomatic.
  • 🚥 Removing just the stones without the gallbladder can lead to recurrence, hence complete removal of the gallbladder is the standard treatment.
  • 💉 Gallbladder removal is a laparoscopic surgery, often referred to as keyhole surgery, and is not performed with lasers.
  • 🚴🏼 The gallbladder's function or lack thereof due to stone formation doesn't significantly affect digestion post-removal, as the body adapts well.
Q & A

  • What is Dr. Mayank Madan's current position?

    -Dr. Mayank Madan is heading the department of GI minimal access and bariatric surgery at CK Villa Hospitals.

  • What percentage of gallstones are made of cholesterol?

    -95 percent of gallstones are made of cholesterol.

  • What are the other components of gallstones besides cholesterol?

    -The remaining 5 percent of gallstones can be formed of bilirubinates, which are pigment stones associated with diseases involving a lot of blood decomposition.

  • How are gallstones different from kidney stones in terms of composition?

    -Gallstones are primarily composed of cholesterol and bilirubinates, whereas kidney stones are mainly made up of minerals.

  • What are common symptoms associated with gallstones?

    -Common symptoms include acidity, bloating, burping, and feeling full after eating. In advanced cases, there can be pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Can gallstones be dissolved once they have formed?

    -Once gallstones have formed, they cannot be dissolved. There may be pharmaceutical agents that can help with sludge formation, but the stones themselves cannot be dissolved without potential complications.

  • What complications can arise if gallstones pass through the bile duct?

    -If gallstones pass through the bile duct, they can obstruct the flow of bile, causing fever, jaundice, sepsis, and potentially infections in the pancreas.

  • Does the size of gallbladder stones affect the treatment?

    -The size of the stones does not affect the treatment approach, which is surgical removal of the gallbladder. However, smaller stones are more likely to cause complications when passed, while larger stones may cause more symptoms.

  • Why is surgical removal of the gallbladder the preferred treatment for gallstones?

    -Surgical removal is preferred because once stones form, they cannot be dissolved and can cause complications if passed. Removing the gallbladder prevents stone recurrence and addresses the issue of improper bile composition or gallbladder function.

  • What type of surgery is used to remove the gallbladder?

    -Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, is used to remove the gallbladder. It involves small incisions and is a relatively simple and quick procedure.

  • How does the body adapt to the removal of the gallbladder?

    -The body adapts well to the removal of the gallbladder, as the organ is often functioning improperly or not at all when stones are present. Digestion-wise, there is not much of a difference after removal, and the body compensates for the loss of the gallbladder.

  • Why are diabetic patients more prone to complications from gallstones?

    -Diabetic patients have lower resistance in their bodies, making them more susceptible to complications, even if they are asymptomatic for gallstones. Therefore, surgical removal is often recommended for these patients.

Outlines
00:00
🏥 Introduction to Gallstones and Their Composition

Dr. Mayank Madan introduces himself and discusses gallstones, emphasizing that 95% are cholesterol-based, unlike kidney stones. He explains the composition of gallstones, with 5% being bilirubinates, and highlights the differences in etiology and pathology between gallstones and kidney stones. The most common symptoms are acidity, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating, with more severe cases experiencing pain, nausea, and vomiting. Dr. Madan notes that once formed, gallstones cannot be dissolved and can lead to complications if they pass through the bile duct.

05:00
🔪 Treatment and Surgical Removal of Gallstones

The focus shifts to the treatment of gallstones, where Dr. Madan clarifies that the size of the stones influences the likelihood of passing them naturally and the potential for complications. He stresses that surgical removal is the only definitive treatment, regardless of the size or number of stones. The procedure, laparoscopic surgery, is described as minimally invasive and typically brief, with a quick recovery time. Dr. Madan also addresses the misconception that gallbladder removal is laser surgery, explaining the keyhole approach and the body's adaptability to life without a gallbladder.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, which is a small organ under the liver. They are typically made up of cholesterol or bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. In the video, it is mentioned that 95% of gallstones are cholesterol-based, while the remaining 5% are pigment stones composed of bilirubinates. The presence of gallstones can lead to various symptoms and complications, including pain, nausea, vomiting, and potentially serious conditions like jaundice and pancreatitis.
💡Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is naturally present in all the cells of the body. It is an essential component of cell membranes and is involved in the production of certain hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help in digesting food. However, high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to the formation of gallstones, as mentioned in the video, where 95% of gallstones are composed of cholesterol.
💡Bilirubinates
Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down. It is normally processed by the liver and excreted from the body. However, in certain diseases or conditions where there is a lot of blood breakdown, bilirubin can accumulate and form stones in the gallbladder, known as pigment stones. These are different from cholesterol-based stones and account for 5% of gallstones as discussed in the video.
💡Symptoms
In the context of the video, symptoms refer to the signs and indications that a person may have gallstones. Common symptoms include acidity, bloating, a feeling of fullness after eating, and pain in the upper right abdomen that may radiate to the back. These symptoms are indicative of the presence of gallstones and may prompt a person to seek medical attention.
💡Complications
Complications arising from gallstones refer to the potential serious health issues that can develop if the stones obstruct the bile ducts or cause inflammation. These can include conditions like cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin), and gallbladder cancer. The video emphasizes that once gallstones form, they typically do not dissolve and can lead to these complications if not treated.
💡Treatment
Treatment for gallstones, as described in the video, primarily involves surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as cholecystectomy. This is because once gallstones form, they cannot be dissolved and can cause complications if they pass through the bile duct. The size of the gallbladder stones can influence the risk of complications, with smaller stones posing a higher risk of causing issues than larger ones.
💡Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as keyhole surgery in the video, is a minimally invasive surgical technique where small incisions are made in the abdomen to insert a camera and surgical instruments. This type of surgery is used for gallbladder removal in the treatment of gallstones. It is considered one of the simplest and most common surgeries performed by surgeons worldwide and typically involves a short hospital stay.
💡Gallbladder Function
The gallbladder's primary function is to store bile, which is produced by the liver and helps in the digestion of fats. When food is consumed, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the small intestine. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that once gallstones form, the gallbladder's ability to pump bile properly may be compromised. Even if the gallbladder is removed, the body can adapt to its absence, as the liver can still produce bile that goes directly into the small intestine.
💡Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's ability to properly process and use glucose, the body's main source of energy. People with diabetes often have a higher risk of developing complications from various conditions, including gallstones. The video mentions that diabetic patients are more prone to complications from gallstones and should consider surgical options even if they are asymptomatic.
💡Cholecystectomy
Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder, which is often performed when gallstones are present. The procedure is considered the standard treatment for gallstones to prevent complications. In the video, it is emphasized that the gallbladder should be removed to prevent the recurrence of stones and that this procedure is not a laser surgery but a laparoscopic one.
💡Recurrence
Recurrence refers to the event of a disease or condition coming back after it has been treated or has disappeared. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that if gallstones are removed but the gallbladder is left in place, there is a chance that new stones will form. This is why the gallbladder itself is typically removed during the surgical treatment to prevent the recurrence of gallstones.
Highlights

Dr. Mayank Madan is the head of the GI Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery department at CK Villa Hospitals.

95% of gallstones are composed of cholesterol, unlike kidney stones.

The remaining 5% of gallstones are pigment stones formed from bilirubinates in diseases with high blood decomposition.

Gallstones and kidney stones have different etiologies and pathologies.

Kidney stones are primarily made of minerals, while gallstones are predominantly cholesterol-based.

Common symptoms of gallstones include acidity, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating.

Advanced cases of gallstones can cause pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

Once formed, gallstones cannot be dissolved and can lead to complications if they pass through the bile duct.

Gallstones can obstruct bile flow, causing fever, jaundice, sepsis, and potentially pancreas infections.

The size of gallbladder stones influences the risk of complications and symptoms.

Patients with diabetes are more prone to complications from gallstones and should consider surgical options even if asymptomatic.

The gallbladder is the root of the problem, often due to improper bile pumping into the intestines or super-saturated cholesterol in bile.

The standard treatment for gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as cholecystectomy.

Cholecystectomy is a laparoscopic surgery, performed through small incisions in the abdomen.

Laparoscopic surgery is one of the calmest and simplest procedures, often taking only 25-30 minutes.

Patients may only need a one-day hospital stay, and in some cases, can return home on the same day.

The size of the gallbladder is not a concern in the removal process, as the organ is often non-functional or poorly functioning.

The body adapts well to the removal of the gallbladder, and there are no significant digestion issues post-surgery.

The decision to remove the gallbladder should weigh the pros and cons of keeping the stones.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Gallbladder Problems: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options - St. Mark's Hospital

Gall Stones – Causes, Treatment Options and ICD-10 Coding | Medical Codes | Medical Billing

Acute Cholecystitis - Overview (signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, treatment)

Gallstones | Clinical Presentation

Kidney Stones: Treatments and Why You Get Them

What causes kidney stones? - Arash Shadman

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
GallstonesCholesterolBilirubinatesSymptomsLaparoscopicSurgeryHealthcareMedicalAdviceDigestiveSystemSurgicalProceduresDoctorInsights