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Gallstones

Sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen after a fatty meal is one of the most recognisable presentations in general surgery - and it usually points to gallstones. These small, hardened deposits of bile form within the gallbladder and can range from completely silent and incidental to acutely painful and dangerous, particularly when they migrate into the bile duct or trigger gallbladder inflammation. At Shree Hospitals, our experienced gallbladder removal specialists deliver prompt Gallstones treatment in Mumbai, India - from accurate diagnosis and biliary colic symptoms management to definitive laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai and complex bile duct stone removal when required.

(24×7 Emergency Care)

1800-268-4000

(24×7 Emergency Care)

1800-268-4000

Our Approach to Managing Gallstones

Diagnose accurately. Treat the cause. Prevent complications.

Gallstones are remarkably common - present in up to 10% of the adult population - yet only a fraction of those affected ever develop symptoms requiring treatment. The clinical challenge is distinguishing patients with simple, silent gallstones who need only observation from those experiencing genuine biliary colic symptoms, acute cholecystitis, or migrated stones causing pancreatitis or jaundice - situations that demand timely surgical or endoscopic intervention.

At Shree Hospitals, our approach to gallstone diagnosis and biliary pain management is grounded in careful clinical correlation with imaging findings. Our gallbladder removal specialists ensure that every patient receives the right treatment at the right time - whether that means reassurance and dietary advice for an incidental finding, or urgent surgery for acute cholecystitis.

Accurate Diagnosis & Risk Assessment

Abdominal ultrasound - the primary diagnostic tool, identifying gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening, and pericholecystic fluid with high sensitivity
Liver function tests - assessing for biliary obstruction; elevated bilirubin or alkaline phosphatase suggesting bile duct stone migration
MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) - non-invasive bile duct imaging for suspected bile duct stone removal candidates
CT abdomen for complicated presentations - assessing for gallbladder perforation, abscess, or associated pancreatitis
HIDA scan in selected cases of acalculous biliary pain where ultrasound is inconclusive
Clinical correlation distinguishing simple biliary colic from acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, or gallstone pancreatitis - each requiring distinct urgency and management

Conservative Management for Asymptomatic Gallstones

Not every gallstone requires surgery:

Incidentally discovered, asymptomatic gallstones in low-risk patients may be safely observed without intervention
Dietary modification - reducing fatty food intake to minimise gallbladder stimulation and symptom frequency
Clear patient education on warning signs requiring urgent review - persistent pain, fever, or jaundice
Selective prophylactic cholecystectomy considered in specific high-risk groups - diabetic patients, those with porcelain gallbladder, or large stones above 3 cm with elevated cancer risk

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The definitive and most commonly performed treatment for symptomatic gallstones:

Four-port standard laparoscopic technique - gallbladder removed through small keyhole incisions with excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes
Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILS) - a single small umbilical incision for suitable candidates seeking minimal scarring
Intraoperative cholangiogram when bile duct stones are suspected - confirming clearance of the biliary tree during the same procedure
Critical View of Safety technique - a rigorous dissection protocol minimising the risk of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai
Same-day or next-day discharge for the majority of elective cholecystectomy patients

Management of Acute Cholecystitis

Gallbladder inflammation requires prompt, structured treatment:

IV antibiotics and fluid resuscitation on admission - controlling infection and inflammation before surgery
Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours of symptom onset - proven to reduce complication rates compared to delayed surgery
Percutaneous cholecystostomy drainage for critically unwell or high-surgical-risk patients unable to tolerate immediate surgery
Interval cholecystectomy planned after recovery for patients initially managed with drainage alone

Bile Duct Stone Management

When gallstones migrate into the common bile duct, causing obstructive jaundice or cholangitis:

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) - endoscopic bile duct stone removal using sphincterotomy and balloon or basket extraction
Same-admission ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy - the preferred sequence for most patients with concurrent gallbladder and bile duct stones
Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration - performed during cholecystectomy in selected cases as an alternative to ERCP
Emergency ERCP for acute cholangitis - biliary sepsis requiring urgent decompression alongside IV antibiotics

Post-Operative Care & Long-Term Outcomes

Early mobilisation and return to normal diet within 24 hours of laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Most patients resume normal activity within 1 week and full activity including exercise within 2 to 3 weeks
Dietary guidance for post-cholecystectomy adjustment - most patients tolerate a normal diet well without long-term restriction
Management of rare post-cholecystectomy syndrome - persistent symptoms requiring further investigation for retained stones or other causes
Structured follow-up ensuring complete recovery as part of comprehensive Gallstones treatment in Mumbai, India

Happy Patients & Their Case Stories

A 40-year-old woman from Malad had recurring episodes of right upper abdominal pain after meals for six months. Ultrasound confirmed multiple gallstones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai at Shree Hospitals resolved her symptoms completely - she was discharged the next morning and back to work within a week.

Mr. Kedar

This 55-year-old man presented to our emergency department with fever and severe right upper quadrant pain - acute cholecystitis. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 24 hours of admission at Shree Hospitals avoided a prolonged hospital stay and complications

Mr. Prnav

How To Identify Gallstones?

Many people carry gallstones without ever knowing it - but when symptoms do occur, the pattern is often distinctive enough to raise immediate suspicion:

Sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen - classic biliary colic symptoms, often triggered by fatty or fried meals, typically lasting 30 minutes to several hours
Pain radiating to the right shoulder blade or back - a referred pain pattern characteristic of gallbladder origin
Nausea and vomiting accompanying the abdominal pain episode
Bloating and indigestion after meals - particularly fatty foods, which stimulate gallbladder contraction against an obstructing stone
Fever with abdominal pain - suggesting acute cholecystitis or infection requiring urgent evaluation
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) - indicating a stone has migrated into the bile duct, causing obstruction
Dark urine and pale, clay-coloured stools - additional signs of biliary obstruction requiring prompt assessment
Persistent pain lasting beyond several hours - distinguishing complicated cholecystitis from simple biliary colic, which typically resolves spontaneously

If you experience recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain - particularly after fatty meals - or any signs of jaundice or fever, seek evaluation promptly. For Gallstones treatment in Mumbai, India, our team provides same-day ultrasound assessment.

Important FAQs: Gallstones

Do all gallstones need surgery?

No. Asymptomatic gallstones discovered incidentally often require no treatment beyond observation and dietary advice. Surgery is recommended for patients experiencing recurrent biliary colic symptoms, acute cholecystitis, or complications such as bile duct stones - assessed individually by our gallbladder removal specialist team.

Is laparoscopic gallbladder removal safe?

Yes - laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgical procedures, with excellent outcomes, minimal scarring, and rapid recovery. Complication rates are low when performed by experienced surgeons using safety-focused dissection techniques.

Can I live without a gallbladder?

Yes, completely normally. The gallbladder stores bile but is not essential for digestion - the liver continues producing bile, which flows directly into the intestine. Most patients experience no significant long-term dietary restrictions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai.

What happens if a gallstone moves into the bile duct?

A stone migrating into the bile duct can cause jaundice, pain, and potentially life-threatening cholangitis (bile duct infection). ERCP-based bile duct stone removal clears the obstruction endoscopically, usually followed by gallbladder removal to prevent recurrence.

When should I seek emergency care for gallstone symptoms?

Seek immediate care if you have severe abdominal pain lasting more than a few hours, fever, jaundice, or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down. For Gallstones treatment in Mumbai, India, our emergency surgical team is available around the clock.

Treatments For Gallstones at Shree Hospitals

We offer a complete range of gallstone treatment in Mumbai services, including comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, personalised treatment planning, advanced laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, expert pain management, dietary and lifestyle guidance, post-operative care, and long-term follow-up programmes designed to ensure a smooth recovery, prevent complications, and help every patient regain optimal digestive health.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The definitive, gold-standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones - complete gallbladder removal through keyhole incisions. Our gallbladder removal specialists perform this procedure with same-day or next-day discharge for the majority of patients as part of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder surgery in Mumbai.

ERCP for Bile Duct Stones

Endoscopic bile duct stone removal using sphincterotomy and stone extraction - clearing the common bile duct of migrated gallstones before or alongside gallbladder surgery, resolving obstructive jaundice and preventing cholangitis.

Emergency Management of Acute Cholecystitis

IV antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and early laparoscopic surgery within 72 hours for acute gallbladder inflammation -part of structured gallstone diagnosis and biliary pain management designed to minimise complications and hospital stay.

Percutaneous Cholecystostomy

Image-guided gallbladder drainage for critically unwell or high-surgical-risk patients unable to tolerate immediate surgery - providing rapid symptom relief and infection control before planned interval cholecystectomy.