Gallbladder Knowledge Centre

Medicines rarely dissolve stones reliably and they often recur. For symptomatic stones, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is the definitive, lasting solution.

Yes. The liver continues to make bile, and the vast majority of people digest food normally after gallbladder removal.

It is usually a safe day-care laparoscopic procedure with small cuts, minimal pain and a return to routine within about a week.

Untreated stones can cause infection, jaundice, pancreatitis, or — over years — raise gallbladder cancer risk, so symptomatic stones should be treated.

Cost depends on technique, hospital and complexity, so ask for a personalised estimate. Choose an MCh-qualified surgical gastroenterologist with high case volumes — Dr. Avinash Tank has performed 10,000+ GI & bariatric surgeries at Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad.

Long-standing gallstones and chronic inflammation raise the risk, which is one reason symptomatic gallstones and large gallbladder polyps are treated rather than ignored.

This is called incidental gallbladder cancer. It should be reviewed promptly by a GI cancer surgeon, as further (radical) surgery is often needed for a cure.

Most small polyps are harmless, but polyps larger than about 1 cm carry a higher risk and are usually removed by taking out the gallbladder.