Gallstones: symptoms and surgery in Tashkent

Other names: ЖКБ, холелитиаз, камни в желчном пузыре, желчная колика

Gallstone disease is the formation of stones in the gall bladder. It occurs very often, and in a significant proportion of people stones exist for years asymptomatically, being detected by chance on an ultrasound. The key point that determines the tactics is precisely this: asymptomatic stones in most cases do not require surgery, but the appearance of biliary colic changes the situation - after the first attack, the likelihood of recurrence and complications becomes high, and planned removal of the bladder turns out to be safer than waiting.

🧾 МКБ-10: K80 🏥 Where it is treated: 9 Asymptomatic stones are often not operated onAfter colic - planned surgeryRarely dissolves

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Gastroenterologist, surgeon

🔬 Diagnostics

Abdominal ultrasound

💊 Treatment

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

📈 Prognosis

Good after surgery

⚠️ At risk

Female gender, age, obesity, rapid weight loss

⏱ When to see a doctor

For colic with fever and jaundice - urgently

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Боль в правом подреберье более 6 часов с температурой и ознобом
Желтушность кожи и склер, тёмная моча, светлый кал
Опоясывающая боль с многократной рвотой — возможен панкреатит
Напряжение мышц живота, усиление боли при движении
Спутанность сознания, падение давления на фоне лихорадки
Повторяющиеся приступы колики

How it manifests itself

A typical manifestation is biliary colic: an attack of intense pain that occurs when a stone blocks the exit of the bladder.

Pain in the right hypochondrium or in the pit of the stomach, radiating to the right shoulder blade and shoulder
Occurs 1–2 hours after a fatty, fried or heavy meal, often at night
Increases within 15–30 minutes, lasts from 30 minutes to several hours
Accompanied by nausea and vomiting that does not bring relief
The person cannot find a comfortable position and rushes about

Приступ дольше 6 часов, особенно с температурой, — это уже не просто колика, а вероятный острый холецистит. Требуется срочное обращение, а не ожидание, что «пройдёт как в прошлый раз».

Who's at risk

Female gender - stones are formed several times more often
Age over 40
Overweight and Obesity
Rapid weight loss and strict diets paradoxically increase the risk
Pregnancy and childbirth, taking estrogen
Heredity
Diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, hemolytic anemia
Long breaks in meals, refusal of breakfast

Operate or observe

Asymptomatic stones: observation in most cases. The risk of them ever giving symptoms is relatively low
There has been at least one biliary colic: elective surgery is recommended - the likelihood of repeated attacks and complications is high
Special indications for surgery even without symptoms: very large stones, “porcelain” gallbladder, polyps larger than 1 cm, diabetes mellitus, planned transplantation
Complications (cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis) - surgery is required

Elective laparoscopic surgery is much easier to tolerate than emergency surgery: fewer complications, shorter hospitalization, lower risk of switching to open access.

Is it possible to dissolve stones

Medicinal dissolution with ursodeoxycholic acid preparations is possible, but is suitable only for a small proportion of patients and has significant limitations.

The stones must be cholesterol, small (up to 5–10 mm), the bladder must be functioning
The course lasts 1–2 years, the effectiveness is far from 100%
After discontinuation, stones form again in approximately half of patients within 5 years
Ultrasound crushing of stones is not used for cholelithiasis: the fragments clog the ducts
Dissolution with “folk” remedies and “liver cleansing” are dangerous: they provoke the movement of stones and colic

Life after gallbladder removal

The gallbladder is a reservoir, not an organ that produces bile. After its removal, the liver continues to work, and bile flows into the intestines continuously.

Most patients return to their normal diet within a few weeks
In the first 1–2 months, split meals with moderate amounts of fat are recommended
Some people experience loose stools for the first time after fatty foods - this usually goes away
After laparoscopic surgery, discharge is usually on the 1st–2nd day, return to work after 1–2 weeks
Limiting heavy lifting for about a month

Frequently asked questions: Gallstone disease

Do I need to remove stones if nothing bothers me?+

In most cases, no—asymptomatic stones are observed. Surgery is recommended after the first biliary colic, as well as for very large stones, polyps larger than 1 cm, “porcelain” bladder and diabetes mellitus.

Is it possible to dissolve stones with tablets?+

Sometimes, but only a small proportion of patients are suitable: the stones must be cholesterol and small. The course lasts 1–2 years, and after discontinuation, stones form again in approximately half of the patients.

Is it possible to crush stones with ultrasound?+

No. Unlike kidney stones, gallstone fragments block the ducts and cause serious complications. This method is not used for cholelithiasis.

Is liver cleansing with oil and lemon dangerous?+

Yes. Such procedures provoke contraction of the bladder and movement of stones, which can cause colic, blockage of the duct and pancreatitis. The “stones” that come out after such a cleansing are clots of oil and bile.

How do they live without a gallbladder?+

Completely. The bladder is just a reservoir; bile continues to be produced by the liver. For the first 1–2 months, split meals are recommended, then most return to a normal diet.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.

Where it is treated cholelithiasis в Ташкенте

При камнях в желчном пузыре важно вовремя определить показания к плановой операции — она безопаснее экстренной. Приём гастроэнтерологов и хирургов в Ташкенте: