SERVICES OFFERED
ENDOSCOPY
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Upper GI Endoscopy
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Colonoscopy
- Capsule Endoscopy
- ERCP & Cholangio-pancreatoscopy
- Endoscopic Ultrasound [EUS]
GI MOTILITY LAB
- 24 Hrs Esophageal pH-Impedance study
- Esophageal & Anorectal Manometry
BREATH TESTS
- Hydrogen Breath Test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Urea Breath Test for H. pylori infection
SURGERY
- Esophageal & Gastric Surgery
- Hepatectomy & Liver Surgery
- Pancreato – Billiary Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- Hernia Surgery – Laparoscopic & Open
- Minimally Invasive & Laparoscopia Surgery
- Gl Oncology Surgery
- Surgery for Piles, Fistula & Fissure
RADIOLOGY
- Digital X-Ray
- Ultrasound with Colour Doppler
- Liver Elastography [Fibroscan] for liver fibrosis and steatosis.
PATHOLOGY
CRITICAL CARE TAIL
- State of Art Intensive Care Unit & Expert Team for management of GI and hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases
ADVANCED SERVICES OFFERED
ERCP & CHOLANGIO-PANCREATOSCOPY
- Complex Pancreato-biliary Procedures
[Multiple biliary stent placement for hilar strictures;
mechanical lithotripsy for CBO stones] - Laser Lithotripsy Treatment for CBD / pancreatic stones
- CBD Stricture evaluation
- Ampullectomy
THIRD SPACE ENDOSCOPY
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection [EMR] & Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection [ESD] for early gastrointestinal cancers
- Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy [POEM] for Zenker’s Diverticulum,
Achalasia Cardia, Gastroparesis, Hirschsprung’s disease - Submucuosal Tunneling & Endoscopic Resection [STER]
& Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resecton (EFTR] for subepithlial tumors
ANTIREFLUX TREATMENT [FOR GERD]
- Antireflux Mucosal Ablation [ARMA]
- Endoscopic Funcoplication
ENDOBARIATRICS [FOR WEIGHT LOSS]
- Gastric Balloon placement
- Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND [EUS]
- EUS & EUS – guided FNAC / Biopsy for diagnosis
- EUS – guided Pancreatic Cysto-gastrostomy / Choledocho-jejunostomy / Hepatico-gastrostomy
- EUS – guided Gastric Variceal Glue & Coil treatment
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver that stores bile used in digestion. Gallstones are a common condition and while some may remain asymptomatic for years, others can cause significant pain, digestive complications and serious conditions such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis if left untreated. Surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as cholecystectomy, is the most effective and definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones. At LGI Hospital, Nagpur, our experienced surgical gastroenterologists provide advanced gallbladder stone surgery with a focus on precision, patient safety and minimal recovery time.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are solid deposits that form when substances in bile, primarily cholesterol or bilirubin, become concentrated and crystallise inside the gallbladder. They can vary in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball and a person may have one or multiple gallstones at the same time. Gallstones can remain silent and cause no symptoms for many years, however when they block the bile duct or cause inflammation of the gallbladder, they can lead to severe pain and complications that require prompt medical and surgical attention.
Common Symptoms of Gallstones
Gallstone symptoms can range from mild and intermittent to severe and sudden. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden and intense pain in the upper right abdomen or centre of the abdomen
- Pain that radiates to the right shoulder or back
- Nausea and vomiting accompanying abdominal pain
- Pain that typically occurs after eating, particularly after fatty meals
- Fever and chills if the gallbladder becomes infected
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes if a gallstone blocks the bile duct
- Dark urine and pale stools in cases of bile duct obstruction
- Bloating and indigestion after meals
Episodes of gallstone pain, known as biliary colic, can be sudden and severe. Fever with jaundice and abdominal pain together may indicate a serious complication requiring urgent medical attention.
Common Causes of Gallstones
Gallstones develop when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin or insufficient bile salts to keep these substances in solution. Contributing factors include:
- High cholesterol levels in bile leading to cholesterol stone formation
- Excess bilirubin in bile associated with certain liver and blood conditions
- Incomplete or infrequent emptying of the gallbladder
- Obesity or being significantly overweight
- Obesity or excess body weight placing strain on the abdominal wall
- Rapid weight loss causing changes in bile composition
- A diet high in fat and cholesterol and low in fibre
- Pregnancy due to hormonal changes affecting bile composition
- A family history of gallstones
- Certain medications including oral contraceptives and cholesterol lowering drugs
When Should You See a Doctor for Gallstones?
It is strongly advisable to consult a surgical gastroenterologist if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden severe pain in the upper right or centre of the abdomen
- Pain lasting more than a few hours that does not resolve
- Fever and chills accompanying abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Persistent nausea and vomiting with abdominal pain
- Dark urine and pale stools together
- Recurring episodes of upper abdominal pain after meals
Gallstones do not dissolve on their own and symptomatic gallstones require surgical evaluation. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of serious complications including acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis and bile duct obstruction.
Gallbladder Stone Surgery Options in Nagpur
Surgical removal of the gallbladder is the most effective and permanent treatment for symptomatic gallstones. The gallbladder is not an essential organ and its removal does not significantly affect digestion in the long term. Common surgical approaches include:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard surgical approach for gallbladder stone removal. It involves small incisions, minimal blood loss, less post operative pain and a significantly faster recovery compared to open surgery.
What Happens During Gallbladder Stone Surgery?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The general surgical process involves:
- A pre operative assessment including blood tests, ultrasound and clinical evaluation
- Administration of general anaesthesia for patient comfort throughout the procedure
- The surgeon makes three to four small incisions in the abdomen
- A laparoscope and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions
- The gallbladder is carefully detached from the liver and bile duct
- The gallbladder is removed through one of the small incisions
- Incisions are closed and the patient is moved to recovery
The procedure is typically completed within forty five minutes to one and a half hours. Most patients are discharged within one to two days following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Recovery After Gallbladder Stone Surgery
Recovery after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is generally smooth and relatively quick. General recovery guidelines include:
- Mild soreness at the incision sites for a few days after surgery
- A light and easily digestible diet in the first few days following surgery
- Avoiding fatty and spicy foods during the initial recovery period
- Gradually returning to normal dietary habits over a few weeks
- Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity for two to three weeks
- Attending all scheduled follow up appointments with the surgical team
- Most patients return to normal activities within one to two weeks following laparoscopic surgery
The surgical team at LGI Hospital provides detailed and personalised post operative guidance to support each patient through a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Why Choose LGI Hospital for Gallbladder Stone Surgery in Nagpur?
- Expert Surgical Gastroenterologists: LGI Hospital in Nagpur has a dedicated team of experienced surgical gastroenterologists who perform advanced laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a focus on precision, patient safety and excellent surgical outcomes.
- Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Approach: The surgical team at LGI Hospital prioritises laparoscopic techniques wherever appropriate, offering patients the significant benefits of smaller incisions, reduced post operative pain and faster recovery.
- Advanced Surgical and Endoscopic Capabilities: LGI Hospital in Dhantoli, Nagpur is equipped with modern surgical infrastructure and advanced endoscopic facilities including ERCP for managing bile duct stones in addition to gallbladder removal.
- Comprehensive Surgical Care Under One Roof: From initial consultation and pre operative preparation through to surgery, post operative monitoring and follow up, LGI Hospital provides a complete and seamless gallbladder stone surgery experience for every patient.
FAQ
Q1. Is gallbladder stone surgery painful?
Laparoscopic gallbladder stone surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and patients do not experience pain during the procedure. Post operative discomfort is generally mild and well managed with appropriate pain relief. Laparoscopic surgery is associated with significantly less post operative pain compared to open surgical approaches.
Q2. How long does gallbladder stone surgery take?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is typically completed within forty five minutes to one and a half hours. The duration may vary depending on the complexity of the case, the presence of any complications and the surgeon’s assessment during the procedure.
Q3. Can gallstones be removed without surgery?
While certain non surgical approaches such as oral dissolution therapy exist for very small cholesterol stones, they are not suitable for all patients and have significant limitations including incomplete stone dissolution and a high recurrence rate. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the most effective and definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones.
Q4. Recovery after gallbladder stone surgery in Nagpur — what to expect?
Recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally quick and comfortable. Most patients are discharged within one to two days and can return to light activities within a week. Full recovery and return to normal activities typically occurs within two to three weeks. Dietary adjustments in the initial weeks following surgery help support digestive comfort during recovery.
Q5. Which hospital is best for gallbladder stone surgery in Nagpur?
LGI Hospital in Dhantoli, Nagpur is a dedicated single speciality gastroenterology hospital with experienced surgical gastroenterologists who perform advanced laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ERCP for bile duct stones. The hospital provides comprehensive pre and post operative care under one roof.