What Is The Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped hollow organ located on the right side of the abdomen just below the liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to store and release bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that is produced by the liver to aid in digestion. The gallbladder, along with the liver and bile ducts, make up the hepatobiliary system.

What Are The Common Gallbladder Disorders?

(1) Gallstone Attack - Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. An individual can develop one or more gallstones at a time. Most gallstones do not cause any symptoms or require treatment. However, occasionally they can cause an obstruction in the cystic or bile duct, causing intense abdominal pain. (2) Gallbladder Polyps - are benign growths that can develop in the gallbladder. When small they can be observed but larger gallbladder polyps should be removed by a gallbladder surgeon in Singapore to reduce the risk of cancer developing from the polyp. (3) Gallbladder Cancer - a condition where cancer cells develop and multiply in the gallbladder. It is relatively rare, but can spread quickly if not detected and treated early. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss and jaundice. Gallbladder cancer treatment involves gallbladder removal surgery that sometimes includes the removal of some parts of the liver and bile duct.

What Are the Complications of Gallstones?

(1) Gallbladder Infection - Cholecystitis is a condition where the gallbladder becomes inflamed. It is characterized by intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, and may be accompanied by fever, loss of appetite and jaundice. Cholecystitis is often caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. It can be acute or chronic. Gallbladder removal surgery is the most effective treatment for cholecystitis, (2) Choledocholithiasis - is when gallstones are found in the bile duct. These bile duct stones normally originate from the gallbladder and lodge themselves in the bile duct, which causes abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, and fever. The bile can also become infected, leading to cholangitis or biliary scarring (cirrhosis) if left untreated over the long term, (3) Gallstone Ileus More common among the elderly aged 65 years old and above, gallstone ileus is a condition in which large gallstones (around 2.5cm) fistulate into the small intestine and cause a small bowel obstruction. This is a medical emergency that is characterized by severe abdominal pain and distension and risk of bowel perforation. (4) Gallstone Pancreatitis - a condition in which gallstones block the pancreas duct as they make their way down to the small intestine. This obstruction causes the pancreas to become inflamed, resulting in severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice. Gallbladder surgery is advised to remove the gallstones to prevent a further episode occurring. (5) Gallbladder Empyema/Abscess - a condition where an infected gallbladder is accompanied by the collection of pus (an abscess), which is a collection of dead tissues, white blood cells and bacteria. It causes intense abdominal pain and fever. Gallbladder abscesses should be treated as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading to the other parts of the liver and other organs of the body, and (6) Perforated Gallbladder - Infection in a gallbladder can lead to a perforated gallbladder, where a hole or tear develops in the wall of the gallbladder. A perforated gallbladder is a medical emergency as there is contamination of the abdominal cavity and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.