Gallbladder Assessment and Surgery Clinic in Bahrain

Symptoms that suggest gallstones

• Episodes of upper right abdominal pain, often starting after a heavy or fatty meal.
• Pain spreading to the back or right shoulder blade.
• Nausea, vomiting and bloating during attacks.
• Attacks lasting from thirty minutes to several hours, then easing.
• Fever with continuous pain, suggesting inflammation of the gallbladder.

How the diagnosis is confirmed

• Clinical assessment of the pain pattern and abdominal examination.
• Abdominal ultrasound: the main test for stones, gallbladder wall thickening and bile duct dilatation.
• Liver function tests, amylase or lipase, and inflammatory markers.
• MRCP or CT when a bile duct stone or a complication is suspected.

When surgery may be needed

Removal of the gallbladder is recommended when stones cause recurrent pain, when the gallbladder becomes inflamed, when stones have caused pancreatitis or migrated into the bile duct, and for certain gallbladder polyps. Symptom-free stones discovered on a scan usually do not need an operation, though the plan may differ in specific medical situations.

Urgent symptoms

• Severe pain that does not settle after a few hours.
• Fever and chills with abdominal pain.
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine or pale stools.
• Persistent vomiting or severe pain radiating to the back.

When to book a consultation

• An ultrasound has reported gallstones or gallbladder sludge.
• You have had more than one episode of typical biliary pain.
• You have been told you have a gallbladder polyp.
• You want a clear surgical opinion on whether an operation is necessary.