Comprehensive gallbladder care — from gallstone diagnosis to minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy — performed by Dr. Hamikchandra Patel at Shaleen Multi Speciality Hospital, Sola. Same-day discharge for most patients.
Understanding Gallbladder Disease
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ beneath the liver that stores bile — a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Gallbladder disease occurs when this organ becomes inflamed, develops stones, or is affected by infection or polyps. The most common condition is cholelithiasis — formation of gallstones.
Gallstones affect millions of Indians and are among the most common reasons for abdominal surgery. They form when bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts. While silent gallstones may not require treatment, symptomatic stones cause significant pain and carry a risk of serious complications including acute cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction, pancreatitis, and cholangitis.
If you experience upper right abdominal pain after meals — especially fatty meals — nausea, vomiting, or jaundice, an evaluation at Dr. Gastro's clinic in Ahmedabad is the right first step.
Risk factors include obesity, rapid weight loss, diabetes, high-fat diet, family history, female sex (oestrogen increases cholesterol in bile), age over 40, and prolonged fasting. The "4Fs" — Fat, Female, Forty, Fertile — are classic identifiers, though gallstones affect men too.
Sudden severe upper right abdominal pain (biliary colic), pain radiating to the right shoulder, fever with chills (suggesting cholecystitis or cholangitis), yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), and dark urine or pale stools — all require prompt medical evaluation.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy — keyhole removal of the gallbladder — is the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones. It is performed through 3–4 tiny incisions, requires just 1–2 days of hospitalisation, and allows return to normal activities within a week.
Gallbladder Conditions We Treat
Dr. Hamikchandra Patel provides expert diagnosis and surgical management for the full spectrum of gallbladder and biliary conditions.
Hardened deposits — cholesterol, pigment, or mixed — that form inside the gallbladder. The most common gallbladder condition. Symptomatic gallstones require laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Gallbladder inflammation — usually from a stone blocking the cystic duct. A surgical emergency requiring prompt intervention. Dr. Hamikchandra Patel performs laparoscopic cholecystectomy even in acute cases.
Stones that migrate from the gallbladder into the common bile duct — causing bile duct obstruction, jaundice, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. Treated with ERCP for stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Growths projecting from the gallbladder lining. Most are benign, but polyps larger than 10mm carry malignancy risk. Dr. Hamikchandra Patel performs cholecystectomy for high-risk polyps and monitors smaller ones with regular ultrasound.
Surgical Treatment Options
Dr. Hamikchandra Patel uses the most advanced laparoscopic techniques to ensure safe, effective, and minimally invasive gallbladder treatment.
The standard of care for gallbladder removal — performed through 3–4 tiny incisions (5–10mm) using a camera and precision instruments. The entire gallbladder is safely removed and extracted. Most patients go home the same day or after one night.
For bile duct stones causing obstruction or jaundice — an endoscopic procedure threads a flexible scope through the mouth to the bile duct opening, removes stones using balloons or baskets, and places stents if needed. Often performed before cholecystectomy.
Reserved for complex cases — severe acute cholecystitis with dense adhesions, suspicion of malignancy, or when laparoscopic approach is contraindicated. Involves a larger right subcostal incision but achieves the same definitive result.
The Surgical Journey
Dr. Hamikchandra Patel takes a detailed history of your symptoms, performs physical examination, and reviews your ultrasound. Blood tests (LFT, CBC, amylase) and MRCP or CT may be ordered if bile duct involvement is suspected.
Cardiac evaluation, anaesthesia fitness, and pre-operative blood work are completed. You will fast from midnight before surgery. Medications that thin the blood are paused as instructed.
Under general anaesthesia, 3–4 tiny incisions are made. Carbon dioxide creates working space. The gallbladder's blood supply is secured and divided, the cystic duct clipped, and the gallbladder removed. Intraoperative cholangiogram performed if bile duct stones are suspected.
Most patients are mobile within a few hours of surgery, tolerating liquids by evening, and discharged within 24 hours. Mild shoulder discomfort from the gas used is normal and resolves in 1–2 days.
A follow-up appointment at 1 and 4 weeks confirms satisfactory healing. Most patients return to desk work in 5–7 days and full physical activity within 3–4 weeks. Life without a gallbladder is completely normal — the liver continues to produce bile directly.
Risks, Complications & When to Seek Help
Why Choose Us
Extensive experience with all types of cholecystectomy — including complex acute, re-operative, and combined ERCP cases.
Minimally invasive technique ensures most patients are discharged within 24 hours — minimising hospital stay and cost.
From gallstones and cholecystitis to ERCP for bile duct stones and gallbladder polyp surveillance — complete biliary management under one specialist.
Fully equipped laparoscopic and endoscopy suites with advanced imaging, high-definition cameras, and post-operative monitoring.
Patient Questions
Expert gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgery at Shaleen Multi Speciality Hospital, Sola, Ahmedabad. Transparent consultation, honest advice, and patient-centred care.
