Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder is a small organ that sits under the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen.

Its role is to store bile which helps to digest fat.

Gallbladder disease commonly occurs when the gallbladder stops working properly. This can lead to gallstones and bile sludge, which can cause pain, infection and other complications involving the bile ducts and pancreas.

Common symptoms include:

• Upper abdominal pain, often radiating to the back

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Fever and jaundice in more severe cases

Indications for cholecystectomy include:

• Recurrent gallstone attacks (biliary colic)

• Cholecystitis (inflammation)

• Pancreatitis

• Gallbladder polyps

• Dysfunctional gallbladder (not contracting properly)

• Stones in the bile duct