Dr. Ferzli's Procedures
Specializing in Minimally-Invasive Surgery
Gallbladder & Liver
The liver is a large, reddish-brown, organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity that secretes bile (a digestive enzyme) and is active in the formation of certain blood proteins and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
The gallbladder is a sac which stores and concentrates bile. During a meal it contracts, secreting bile into the small intestine (via the cystic, then common bile duct) where it aids in the digestion of fats. Bile contains bile salts, cholesterol and other compounds.
A Gallbladder polyp is a mass that can grow in the lining of the gall bladder. Most of these polyps are benign, however, once they reach a certain size, or if there are many polyps in the gallbladder, they become a risk for gall bladder cancer. Patients with gallbladder polyps should be evaluated for the need for cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder).
Cholelithiasis is the term used when bile becomes oversaturated with cholesterol or other compounds and gallstones begin to form. In most cases, gallstones do not cause symptoms. But in some patients, these stones may cause obstruction of the cystic duct, leading to inflammation and scarring. During the blockage, the patient might feel a severe pain on the right side, just under the ribs, called biliary colic. This cramping pain can continue steadily, with gradual relief occurring over a few hours. The blockage might also cause heartburn and indigestion.
Cholecystitis is an infection that occurs in the gallbladder because gallstones obstruct the flow of bile out of the gall bladder resulting in inflammation and infection of the organ.
Choledocholithiasis occurs when gallstones are emitted from the gall bladder but get trapped in the common bile duct. This can result in severe pain. It can also result in a back up of bile into the bloodstream that is known as jaundice.
Gallstone pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas (another digestive organ) that occurs when gallstones irritate the pancreas as they are emitted from the gall bladder. Pancreatitis results in pain along the upper abdomen and back. It can be a mild or severe (and even deadly) disease.
Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the most commonly performed minimally invasive procedure. It usually requires 4 small incisions to safely removal of the gallbladder. Most patients treated with cholecystectomy go home the same day of surgery. Pain from laparoscopic cholecystectomy is greatly reduced compared to traditional open surgery and return to regular activity is much sooner.
Your doctor might decide that a cholecystectomy is indicated to treat acute or chronic conditions of the gallbladder such as gallbladder polyps, biliary colic, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis or gallstone pancreatitis.
For further information, you can ask Dr. Ferzli.