Prof. Dr. Emre Sivrikoz

Area of Expertise

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder. They may remain silent for years; however, once symptoms begin, recurrence is common and surgical evaluation is often required.

Patient Information

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. They develop when bile components, most commonly cholesterol, crystallize and aggregate. Many individuals have gallstones without symptoms; however, once symptoms begin, recurrence is common and typically progressive.

Gallstones are broadly classified into cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are the most common type.

Types of Gallstones

Cholesterol stones The most common type, usually caused by crystallization of cholesterol in bile.
Pigment stones Often associated with hemolysis, liver disease, or altered bile pigment metabolism.
Silent stones Gallstones that do not cause symptoms and are often found incidentally.

Symptoms of Gallstones

Gallstones may remain silent for years. When symptomatic, they often cause pain after meals, especially after fatty foods.

Common symptoms

  • Right upper abdominal pain, often after meals
  • Pain radiating to the back or right shoulder
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating and indigestion after fatty meals
Key clinical point: Recurrent postprandial pain is a strong indicator for surgical evaluation.

When Do Gallstones Become Dangerous?

Untreated gallstones can lead to serious complications. Once complications occur, treatment becomes more complex and may require urgent intervention.

Possible serious complications

  • Acute cholecystitis, infection or inflammation of the gallbladder
  • Choledocholithiasis, stones in the bile duct
  • Gallstone pancreatitis

Fever, jaundice, or severe abdominal pain may require urgent medical evaluation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually straightforward and highly reliable. The patient’s symptoms, examination findings, blood tests, and imaging results are evaluated together.

1 Ultrasound

First-line and gold standard imaging method for gallstones.

2 Blood tests

Liver enzymes and inflammatory markers are assessed.

3 MRCP / ERCP

Used when bile duct stones are suspected.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on whether the patient has symptoms, whether complications are present, and the overall clinical picture.

Observation Appropriate for asymptomatic patients. No immediate intervention is usually required.
Surgical evaluation Recommended when recurrent pain occurs after meals.
Complication management Inflammation, bile duct stones, or pancreatitis may require urgent treatment.
Clinical insight: Once symptoms begin, surgery is the only definitive solution. Medical therapy does not eliminate stones reliably.

Surgical Treatment: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive procedure in which the gallbladder is removed.

Keyhole gallbladder surgery

  • Minimally invasive procedure
  • Typically performed through 3 to 4 small incisions
  • Short hospital stay, often same day or next day
  • Very high success and low complication rates
  • Definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones

Recovery After Surgery

  • Discharge is usually possible the same day or within 24 hours.
  • Return to normal activity is often possible within 5 to 7 days.
  • Postoperative pain is usually minimal.
  • No significant long-term dietary restriction is usually required.

When should you seek evaluation?

  • Recurrent abdominal pain after meals
  • Known gallstones with new symptoms
  • Emergency symptoms such as fever, severe pain, or jaundice

These symptoms may indicate gallbladder inflammation or bile duct obstruction and should not be ignored.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Gallstones

They form when cholesterol or pigments in bile crystallize and harden. Genetic predisposition, body weight, diet, and hormonal factors may also contribute.
No. Many patients have silent gallstones that are discovered incidentally during imaging for another reason.
Usually not. Gallstones inside the gallbladder generally do not disappear spontaneously.
If there are no symptoms, observation may be appropriate. However, in symptomatic patients, surgery is the definitive treatment.
The gallbladder is removed using a camera and surgical instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen.
In experienced hands, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is considered a safe, low-risk procedure. The individual risk may vary depending on the patient’s overall health and whether complications are present.
Yes. The liver continues to produce bile, and the body usually adapts well after gallbladder removal.
Most patients return to daily activities within a few days and resume normal activity within about one week.
A light diet is usually recommended in the early recovery period. In the long term, most patients can return to a normal diet.
Delaying treatment may increase the risk of serious complications such as gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, or bile duct obstruction.
Real Reviews

Patient Information Note

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Patients with recurrent abdominal pain after meals, known gallstones with new symptoms, fever, jaundice, or severe pain should consult a general surgeon. Gallstone treatment should be planned individually.

Written by

Prof. Dr. Emre Sivrikoz, General Surgeon
Clinical experience in gallbladder surgery and laparoscopic surgery

Medical Review

Last updated: 02 / 2026

Sources

  • Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  • American College of Surgeons (ACS)
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
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