Gallstones and Gallbladder Diseases
Gallstones can cause severe abdominal pain, often leading to emergency room visits. The pain can be debilitating and may recur, making surgery necessary to prevent repeated gallbladder attacks and further complications.
Dr. Tan Chun Hai
Upper Gastrointestinal Specialist, Dual Fellowship Trained Surgeon
MBBS (Melbourne), Masters of Medicine (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (General Surgery)
Table of Content
- Understanding Gallbladder Diseases
- Symptoms of a Gallstone Attack
- When is Gallbladder Surgery Necessary?
- Types of Gallbladder Diseases
- Who is at Risk?
- When to See a Doctor
- How are Gallbladder Diseases Treated?
- Our Specialist
- Cost of Gallbladder Surgery in Singapore
- How are Gallbladder Diseases Diagnosed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
Understanding Gallbladder Diseases and Your Treatment Options
The Gallbladder is a small sac-like organ located below your liver. Its function is to store bile produced by the liver, which aids digestion.
Gallbladder diseases refer to the infection or inflammation of the gallbladder. Complications usually occur due to blockages caused by gallstones that form in the gallbladder.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat mild symptoms. However, when your symptoms are severe and frequent, surgery may be recommended to remove the gallbladder.
Surgery can be carried out in a minimally invasive manner and is regarded as a long-term solution for complications related to the gallbladder. Your doctor may also recommend gallbladder surgery to prevent progression into severe conditions that could damage your liver and pancreas.
Symptoms of a Gallstone Attack (Biliary Colic)
Biliary colic is severe abdominal pain that occurs when a gallstone temporarily blocks the cystic duct or common bile duct, both part of the biliary tract. The pain often occurs suddenly, typically after meals.
Symptoms of biliary colic include pain in the upper right abdomen, which may radiate to the back or between the shoulder blades. Other associated symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and fever.
In some cases, patients may notice darker urine or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes), which may indicate complications such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) or bile duct obstruction.
When is Gallbladder Surgery Necessary?
Gallstones are the most common reason for gallbladder surgery, as a gallstone attack can cause severe pain lasting for several hours. Surgery, called a cholecystectomy, is often recommended to prevent future attacks or complications.
Surgery may also be recommended to prevent the development of serious conditions that could impair the function of your liver and pancreas.
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, is commonly used to remove the gallbladder. This procedure provides a long-term solution, preventing gallstones from blocking the bile duct and causing recurrent pain.
Patients typically go on to live normal, healthy lives without their gallbladder. Other conditions that may require surgery include acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas caused by gallstones), and acute cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct).
Types of Gallbladder Diseases
- Acute Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Acute Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Acute Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct)
- Biliary colic
- Gallbladder polyps
Risk Factors
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Older age (above 60 years old)
- Women (20 – 60 years old)
- Family history of gallstones and gallbladder diseases
Prevalence of Gallstones in Singapore
In Singapore, symptomatic cases of gallstones (which requires medical attention) continues to be on the rise. Gallstones are present in about 10-20% of the population.
Gallstones are formed from hardened bile, and if the bile contains high levels of cholesterol, bilirubin or bile salts, it hardens into stones. Gallstone sizes can vary from the size of a grain of salt to a golf ball.
Gallstone symptoms can worsen over time and lead to serious complications. Discuss your treatment options with our gallbladder specialist.
For emergencies after clinic hours, WhatsApp us > head to Gleneagles Urgent Care centre (UCC) and request for Dr. Tan Chun Hai.
Overview
When Should I See a Doctor?
Repeated and severe symptoms may be indicative of gallstones and should not be ignored. Pain caused by gallstones can become more frequent and intense, potentially progressing to serious complications.
If you experience abdominal pain, jaundice, or other related symptoms, consult our gallbladder specialist today for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
How are Gallbladder Diseases Treated?
Treatment for gallbladder diseases and gallstones will depend on your condition and severity. In cases where symptoms are mild or absent, they may be managed by medications and dietary changes.
However, with more serious conditions, surgery may be recommended by your doctor to remove the gallbladder. This is generally a safe and commonly performed procedure, and patients can continue to lead normal lives even with their gallbladder removed.
Advantages of Keyhole Gallbladder Surgery
When required, gallbladder surgery can be performed in a minimally invasive manner, enabling reduced post-operative pain and a smoother recovery. Such a procedure is medically known as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
Keyhole surgery allows your surgeon to perform surgery through small incisions instead of having to make big cuts in the abdomen. Surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours and patients may be able to go home on the same day, or discharged after spending a night in the hospital.
20+ Years of Clinical Experience
Dr. Tan Chun Hai
Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric & General Surgeon
Endoscopy & Minimally-Invasive Surgery Specialist
Dr. Tan Chun Hai is a dual fellowship-trained specialist in Laparoscopic (keyhole) Stomach Cancer Surgery and Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery. He is proficient in minimally invasive surgical techniques, treating conditions such as gallstones, appendicitis, GERD, and upper gastrointestinal cancers of the stomach and oesophagus.
In addition to his surgical expertise, Dr Tan specialises in performing endoscopies and managing a wide range of digestive disorders. These include abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
When applicable, Dr. Tan provides same-day treatment within a few hours of diagnosis. Dr. Tan subscribes to a less invasive practice, promoting less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays.
Have a digestive health concern?
Send us your enquiry or give us a call at 6250 5610
For emergencies after hours, send us a text via WhatsApp > head to Gleneagles Urgent Care Centre and request for Dr. Tan Chun Hai
Our Clinic: 6A Napier Road, Gleneagles Hospital Annexe Block, #05-36A, Singapore 258500
Frequently Asked Questions
Gallbladder diseases are typically diagnosed using a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
Medical History and Physical Examination:
- Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or digestive issues.
- A physical exam may include checking for tenderness in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right area where the gallbladder is located.
Imaging Tests:
- Ultrasound: The most common and non-invasive method to detect gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder.
- CT Scan: Provides detailed images of the abdominal organs, helping to identify complications like infection or blockages.
- HIDA Scan (Cholescintigraphy): A specialized imaging test to evaluate gallbladder function and detect blockages.
Laboratory Tests:
- Blood Tests: Used to check for signs of infection, inflammation, or issues with the liver or pancreas, which can be linked to gallbladder disease.
- Endoscopic Procedures: Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Combines endoscopy with ultrasound to provide detailed images of the gallbladder and surrounding structures.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): A diagnostic and therapeutic procedure to detect and treat blockages in the bile ducts.
If you suspect gallbladder disease, consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole gallbladder removal) is the most common type of operation performed for gallbladder diseases, when surgery is required.
Small incisions are made in the abdomen where a laparoscope and surgical instruments can be inserted.
This way, your surgeon will be able to view the inside of your abdomen while removing your gallbladder, all while keeping the procedure minimally invasive.
Patients can lead a normal life after gallbladder removal as it won't really affect one's ability to digest food. The liver will continue to produce bile which will be transported straight into the digestive tract instead. With diet and lifestyle changes, patients can continue to improve their quality of life even after surgery. As a rule of thumb, you should adopt a healthy low-fat diet, avoid foods that cause bloating and eat your meals in smaller portions.
While not all gallbladder diseases require immediate treatment, they can develop into severe complications like inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, bile duct or pancreas.
In such cases, immediate treatment will be required.
Take for example a gallstone condition that goes untreated:
When gallstones get stuck traveling through the bile duct, they may block the outflow of bile causing a "gallbladder attack".
This is usually characterized by a sharp pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
Consult a medical specialist if you're worried about symptoms or wish to get assessed for gallbladder diseases.
According to MOH’s fee benchmarks, the cost of gallbladder surgery in Singapore ranges from SGD 6,200 to SGD 9,600 (before GST). This estimate covers the surgeon’s fees only and excludes hospital charges and consumables.
In-clinic consultation with our doctor starts from SGD 200, before GST, with after-hours rates varying.
Please note that these costs are estimates; a patient’s final bill will depend on the specific procedures involved and the case’s complexity.
As gallbladder surgery has an assigned surgical code, it may be eligible for insurance subsidies.
For more information on the cost of your procedure, please contact our clinic for assistance.
Surgicare Bariatric and General Surgery is on the specialist panel of most Integrated Shield and Corporate Insurance Plans.
Patients undergoing gallbladder surgery can use insurance to help subsidise the cost, as the procedure is assigned a TOSP (Table of Surgical Procedures) code.
Before your procedure, our clinic staff will assist with pre-authorisations and guide you in accessing available subsidies.
For any insurance-related enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us or consult your insurance provider for further clarification.
