The gallbladder is an organ located under the liver. Bile that is produced by the liver is delivered via ducts into the small intestine where it acts to help digestion of fats. The gallbladder acts as a storage or reservoir of excess bile.
The gallbladder is an organ located under the liver. Bile that is produced by the liver is delivered via ducts into the small intestine where it acts to help digestion of fats. The gallbladder acts as a storage or reservoir of excess bile.
Senior Consultant General Surgeon
MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery)
There is a possible link between family members having an increased risk of developing gallstones but this is not proven.
Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in the cystic duct and causes a blockage, the resulting symptoms may include:
Gallstone pain (biliary colic) typically occurs after a heavy or oily meal and may last several minutes to a few hours.
Complications from gallstones are associated with the passage of such stones from the gallbladder into the common bile duct where they lodge and cause an obstruction of bile flow. Depending on the level of obstruction along the bile duct, it gives rise to the following conditions:
Abdominal ultrasound – This is the most sensitive imaging for detecting gallstones within the gallbladder. Further advantage is the lack of radiation exposure as well as the low cost and ease of undergoing this test.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – This is a procedure that can help to identify smaller stones that may be missed on an abdominal ultrasound. A small ultrasound device is attached to the end of an endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the digestive tract.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – Similar to the EUS, a specialised scope is inserted through the mouth into the digestive tract and additional instruments are inserted to enable a radiograph of the bile ducts as well procedures to remove stones.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) – An MRI designed to detect the presence of gallstones or abnormalities within the bile ducts.
The main treatment for gallstones is to remove the source ie gallbladder with all the stones within (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). In the past, this operation was performed in an open fashion ie by making a big cut in the abdomen to remove gallbladder. These days, the surgery is almost always performed laparoscopically. This is achieved by making four small incisions in the abdomen, introducing an inert gas into the abdominal cavity to create a surgical space so that instruments are inserted to surgically remove the gallbladder.
The advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are:
Our clinic is accredited to process Medisave claims on your behalf. We partner with major insurance providers to ensure your claims are hassle-free.
MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery), FSSO(USA)
Dr. Thomas Ho is a distinguished surgeon well known for his expertise in Cancer Surgery, especially in the field of Head and Neck cancers as well as Abdominal and Digestive cancers. In 2009 he was awarded a MOH scholarship and completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Canada, becoming one of only a handful of surgeons in Singapore with this recognition.
Prior to private practice, Dr. Ho founded the Head and Neck Surgery and Surgical Oncology service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Dr. Ho is experienced in laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery, which he routinely employs in the treatment of thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, hernias, gallbladder diseases, adrenal and spleen disorders.
The benefit of detecting surgical conditions early is to enable less invasive and extensive surgery while achieving the best results.
We are on the panel of most private insurance providers and are also accredited to process your Medisave claims.