Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can cause pain, digestive issues, or serious complications if untreated.
Gallstones can present in several ways:
Biliary colic – intermittent upper abdominal pain, often triggered by fatty meals, sometimes radiating to the right side or back.
Cholecystitis – constant right upper abdominal pain caused by trapped stones leading to inflammation of the gallbladder.
Pancreatitis – severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, often with nausea and vomiting, caused by small stones irritating the pancreas.
Up to 20% of adults have gallstones, but only a fraction become symptomatic. Common risk factors include:
Age over 40
Female sex
Family history of gallstones
Obesity or rapid weight loss
Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis
Certain medications (thiazide diuretics, ceftriaxone, oral contraceptives)
Gallstones form when bile becomes supersaturated with cholesterol or bilirubin. Cholesterol stones are most common, while pigmented or mixed stones form due to specific medical conditions or repeated infections.
Untreated symptomatic gallstones may lead to:
Biliary colic and chronic pain
Cholecystitis
Stones in the bile duct (choledocholithiasis)
Infection (ascending cholangitis)
Pancreatitis
Rare complications like Mirizzi syndrome, gallstone ileus, or porcelain gallbladder
Diagnosis typically involves:
Blood tests (liver function tests)
Ultrasound of the gallbladder
Additional imaging may be used in complex cases, such as MRCP, CT with cholangiogram, HIDA scans, or intra-operative cholangiography.
Surgery is indicated only for symptomatic patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed under general anaesthetic using four small keyhole incisions. The gallbladder is carefully dissected from the liver and removed after identifying and securing the cystic duct and artery. Clips are applied, and the gallbladder is extracted through one of the incisions. The area is inspected, and incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures.
At Circle of Care, we provide same-day surgery when appropriate, reducing hospital stay and avoiding emergency department fees. Patients benefit from streamlined pre-operative assessment with on-site pathology and imaging.
Normal diet can usually be resumed immediately.
Most office-based patients require about one week off work.
Walking is encouraged from day one, but core exercise and resistance training should be avoided for at least one month.
Driving can generally be resumed 4–5 days post-surgery once comfortable.
Circle of Care ensures patients receive safe, efficient, and minimally invasive care, with personalized support throughout recovery.
Gallstones can cause biliary colic (intermittent upper abdominal pain), cholecystitis (constant right upper abdominal pain), and pancreatitis (sudden severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, often with nausea and vomiting). Symptoms are often triggered by fatty meals.
Risk factors include being over 40, female, having a family history of gallstones, obesity or rapid weight loss, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, or taking certain medications like thiazide diuretics or oral contraceptives.
Most gallstones are diagnosed with blood tests (liver function tests) and ultrasound. In complex cases, additional imaging such as MRCP, CT cholangiogram, HIDA scans, or intra-operative cholangiography may be required.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed using keyhole incisions. The gallbladder is carefully removed after securing the cystic duct and artery. Most patients can resume a normal diet immediately, return to work within a week, and walk from day one. Core exercise should be avoided for a month to reduce the risk of hernia.
