Why can't acute cholecystitis be operated on?

Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Updated on May 23, 2025

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Patients with acute cholecystitis can undergo surgical treatment.

Patients with acute cholecystitis often experience severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and it can even affect gastrointestinal function, leading to secondary intestinal obstruction. Therefore, patients who repeatedly suffer from acute cholecystitis should undergo surgery as soon as possible, especially those with gallstones, which require serious attention. Only through surgery can a definitive cure be achieved.

The surgical approach for acute cholecystitis mainly involves laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Only by removing the gallbladder can a definitive cure be achieved. Furthermore, patients with acute cholecystitis should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and facilitate recovery.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

51sec

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How long does it take to recover after gallbladder inflammation surgery?

Patients who have undergone gallbladder surgery, which means after the gallbladder has been surgically removed, the recovery time largely depends on the method of surgery and the patient's condition. The surgical methods include open gallbladder removal and laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Clinically, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is preferred because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less injury, and faster recovery; generally, complete recovery can be expected in about seven days. For open gallbladder removal, the recovery time is relatively longer, and it may take about half a month. Additionally, patients with malnutrition or hypoproteinemia may experience delayed wound healing, especially those with hypoproteinemia should be given attention, and consuming more high-protein foods can help promote recovery from the condition.

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Written by Huang Ya Juan

Gastroenterology

3min 8sec

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Symptoms and Treatment of Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is divided into acute cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis typically presents very typical and obvious clinical symptoms, primarily manifesting as acute abdominal pain. Acute cholecystitis often occurs after eating greasy food, mainly presenting as severe colicky pain in the upper right abdomen, which is episodic and worsens. The pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back, followed by nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fever. Some severe cases may also present with jaundice and symptoms of systemic infection and toxicity. Acute simple cholecystitis is often treated non-surgically, and most cases can be cured. If the patient has a history of multiple attacks or the presence of stones, elective cholecystectomy is usually performed later. For suppurative or gangrenous cholecystitis, surgery should be performed promptly after appropriate preparation to remove the diseased gallbladder, typically within three days of onset. If the patient's condition is critical at the time of surgery, or if there is severe local infection and the anatomy is unclear, the doctor will not forcibly remove the gallbladder to avoid major bleeding and damage. Instead, a cholecystostomy may be performed first, followed by cholecystectomy after three months. Chronic cholecystitis, besides occasional upper abdominal discomfort and indigestion, usually shows no prominent symptoms, and most patients only learn about their condition through ultrasound examination. However, for recurrent acute attacks or symptomatic chronic cholecystitis, especially those with stones larger than 1 cm or multiple stones, cholecystectomy should be performed. Elderly or frail individuals with other serious illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease, may receive medical treatment, including general digestive aids and antispasmodic medications. Bile preparations have choleretic effects, can increase the secretion of bile, promote the digestion and absorption of fats, and facilitate the excretion from the gallbladder, which can alleviate symptoms and stabilize the condition. Considering that acute attacks of chronic cholecystitis in elderly people progress rapidly and that emergency surgery has a much higher mortality rate than elective surgery, it is advisable to perform surgery during a remission period. Whether treated with medication or surgery, it is important to follow medical advice.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

1min 2sec

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How to Diagnose Cholecystitis

The definitive diagnosis of cholecystitis mainly involves the following aspects: First, clinical manifestations are crucial. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. Regarding physical examination, there is typically pain in the lower right abdomen and mid-lower right abdomen, with tenderness upon palpation. Furthermore, the onset of cholecystitis is characterized by postprandial pain, particularly after consuming fatty foods or feeling overly full. If these symptoms are present, further examination such as gallbladder ultrasound can be conducted to check for thickening of the gallbladder wall. Additionally, blood tests for inflammatory markers like complete blood count and CRP (C-reactive protein) can be performed. The diagnosis of cholecystitis can be confirmed by combining these symptoms and test results.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

44sec

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Where to massage for symptoms of gallblitis pain?

Gallbladder inflammation pain requires massaging the upper right abdomen, also known as the Murphy's point. The symptoms of gallbladder inflammation primarily include chills, fever, jaundice, pain, etc. Once a gallbladder inflammation attack occurs, it is necessary to promptly complete the relevant auxiliary examinations to determine the cause of the disease. Treatment should be based on the cause, and surgical treatment may be necessary when needed. The main causes of gallbladder inflammation include biliary infection, bile stasis, and biliary stones, etc. Patients with gallbladder inflammation should have a light diet and avoid greasy food.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

44sec

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What are the symptoms when there are problems with the gallbladder?

Gallbladder issues, specifically symptoms of cholecystitis, mainly include chills, fever, persistent dull pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, episodic colic pain that radiates to the right shoulder and back, and may also be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Patients with cholecystitis often experience sudden pain at night, typically due to overeating or consuming greasy foods. Once cholecystitis occurs, it is advised to seek medical attention at a regular hospital as soon as possible, complete the relevant diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies of the abdomen, consider surgical treatment, and engage in active anti-infection treatment.