Does cholecystitis require surgery?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

Updated on September 19, 2024

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Whether cholecystitis requires surgery depends on the acute or chronic status of the inflammation and its severity. If it is acute suppurative cholecystitis, emergency surgery is needed to avoid gallbladder perforation and resultant peritonitis, which could lead to serious septic shock, thus emergency surgical treatment is necessary. If it is mild chronic cholecystitis, elective surgery can be considered, and there is no need for emergency treatment. If it is asymptomatic chronic cholecystitis, it can also be managed with dietary adjustments and symptomatic medical treatment, and surgery may not be strictly necessary.

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Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

41sec

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How to deal with nausea and the urge to vomit from cholecystitis?

Nausea and vomiting caused by cholecystitis should be treated with medications according to individual clinical symptoms. At the same time, it is important to make a correct judgment based on the cause of the disease. If cholecystitis is caused by overeating, medications that aid digestion should be used first to alleviate symptoms. If a bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotics should also be used to reduce inflammation and treat the condition symptomatically. Patients with cholecystitis should maintain a light diet, avoid overeating and greasy food, and should quit smoking and drinking alcohol, maintaining a structured lifestyle.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

1min

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What are the serious consequences of cholecystitis?

The severe consequences of cholecystitis include gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder, leading to obvious signs of peritonitis throughout the abdomen, with noticeable tenderness and rebound pain. For patients with recurrent cholecystitis, it is advisable to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible, as the condition can only be alleviated after the inflammation is under control. During recurrent episodes, surgical treatment should also be considered promptly. Removal of the gallbladder through surgery is the only way to achieve a radical cure. In most cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is chosen because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less damage, and faster recovery, and is therefore often the preferred option in clinical settings. Patients who have undergone surgery should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and better facilitate recovery.

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Written by Xie Zheng Yuan

Gastroenterology

50sec

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Symptoms of acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a relatively common digestive system disease in clinical practice, often triggered by the presence of gallstones, leading to acute inflammation of the gallbladder. When an acute cholecystitis attack occurs, it typically presents as pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, similar to symptoms of gastric discomfort. Additionally, if a gallstone falls and lodges in the cystic duct, or even in the common bile duct, it can cause jaundice, as indicated by the yellowing of the skin and sclera. During a physical examination, it might be possible to detect tenderness in the upper right abdomen, or even rebound tenderness. Another possible positive sign could be Murphy's sign, which are all common manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

48sec

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Diet after relief of acute cholecystitis

After the relief of acute cholecystitis, he still needs to pay attention to his diet: First, he should avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers, barbecue, garlic, etc., avoid hard-to-digest foods, and avoid foods high in fat to reduce the burden on the gallbladder, such as fatty animal organs. Second, although the symptoms of acute cholecystitis have recovered, it is still necessary to maintain a light diet, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rich in vitamins and trace elements, to keep the bowels open and prevent other complications. Third, after the symptoms of acute cholecystitis have recovered, it is also appropriate to supplement some foods high in protein, which can enhance the patient's resistance and facilitate the recovery of the condition.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

56sec

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What should I do if I have cholecystitis?

The main symptoms of cholecystitis include sudden onset of pain in the upper right abdomen, which can radiate to the back or right shoulder. It commonly occurs after consuming a large amount of fatty foods or during the night. Symptoms also include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and less desire to eat. A routine blood test will show increased white blood cells and neutrophils. An upper abdominal CT or abdominal ultrasound can detect cholecystitis. In terms of treatment, the first approach is symptomatic treatment, which can involve using antispasmodic and analgesic medications. The second approach is anti-inflammatory treatment. Furthermore, the diet should be light and easy to digest, and fatty, rich, and greasy foods should be avoided.