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The gallbladder is a small hollow organ that helps the digestive system by sending the stored and concentrated bile into the small intestine. Bile is a fluid produced in the liver and composed of several substances such as cholesterol, bilirubin (bile pigment) and bile salts. Gallstone is a piece of solid material that forms in the gallbladder.

Symptoms of Gallstone

Severe and sudden pain in the abdomen, frequent sweating, vomiting and nausea

Diagnostic methods:

Abdominal ultrasound, blood tests, and CT scan.

Treatment of gallstone: people with "silent gallstones" usually require no treatment. Some medications may help to resolve gallstones if small and not calcified. However, the process might take several months to two years and is often employed when the person has no condition for surgery.

- Laparoscopy: this process can be used to dissolve and remove stones based on the opinion of attending physician.

If the pain is mild and rarely occurs, analgesics may be prescribed to control the pain courses and the patient is advised to eat healthy food.

Cholecystectomy: is referred to as one of two closed and open surgical procedures to remove the gallbladder depending on symptoms of a gallstone.

Postoperative care:

-To relieve pain, it is advisable to take a deep breath, change the bed position, use analgesics prescribed by the physician, and place a pillow or waistband on the surgical incision.

- To improve respiratory status, it is recommended to cough while holding the surgical site so that the discharge is excreted and fluids. It is also recommended to consume plenty of liquids so that respiratory discharge are easily removed from the body.

- It is recommended to take medications as prescribed by your physician.

- You can take a bath after 72 hours and there is no need for dressing the wound after that.

- Avoid foods that cause gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and bloating) and fats. After a week, there is no limit to the consumption of fat and eggs.

- To improve appetite, eat frequent small meals.

- After surgery, loose stool is excreted one-three times a day due to the direct and continuous entry of bile into the duodenum (beginning of the small intestine). Usually, the frequency of bowel movements decreases after a few weeks to a few months.

- In terms of activity, patients are encouraged to walk several times a day. You can increase your activity gradually and after improvement.

- Sutures are normally removed one week after the surgery (based on the opinion of the attending physician) and patients can begin daily activities. However, it is better to avoid heavy work during the first few weeks. 

After discharge, make sure to visit your physician in case of severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, shivering and chills, weakness and wanness, severe anorexia, jaundice, tympanites and abdominal distension, stiffness around the wound site, and increased heart rate.

- In case of having a pathology sample, take it to the designated laboratory and share the results with your physician.

- In case of open surgery, rest for a while and avoid lifting heavy objects and performing intense exercises for four-six weeks. You must gradually increase your level of activity based on your tolerance.

- In case of laparoscopy, you can re-start your routine activities after two days and visit your physician before doing heavy work after a week.

Document Number: MS/GS/PM/03

Issued on: 5/98

Revision Date: 5/1402

Edit Time: 3

Department of Neurosurgery

Musa ibn Jafar Hospital

Patient Education Committee

Source: Bruner Nursing & Sudarth