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My Child Has...
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FlowerGallstones (Cholelithiasis)
Programs that treat this condition
 General Surgery Program  
What are gallstones?
 gallstones in the gallbladder Gallstones are formed from cholesterol or bilirubin products which are excreted in bile by the liver.

The liver normally produces bile. It drains into the first part of the small intestine where it aids in digestion. It is stored in the gallbladder between meals. Crystals can form when the bile is stored, and as the crystals grow, they form gallstones.

How do people get gallstones?
Obesity, use of contraceptives, pregnancy, abnormalities of the red blood cells, and a genetic family tendency, lead to gallstone production.
How do I know if I/my child has gallstones?
Usually your child will experience pain in the right upper or upper middle part of his or her abdomen or back, particularly after meals. Fatty or greasy foods are often most troublesome. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.

An ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis of gallstones.

How are gallstones treated?
Gallstones must be treated with surgery to remove the gallbladder. There are no successful medical treatments of gallstones either to dissolve the stones or to use ultrasound to pulverize them and let them pass spontaneously through the bile ducts.

In most cases, the gallbladder containing the stones is removed. Removal of the stones alone is not adequate therapy. Stones will almost always reform in the gallbladder if it is not removed.

What is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
This is the name of the surgery your child will have to remove the gallbladder. Your child will need general anesthesia for the procedure.

During surgery four small incisions will be made on your child's abdomen, through which a telescope is passed to observe the operation as it is performed with instruments placed through the other three openings. Your child will have four small dressings (clear plastic bandage over gauze) on his or her abdomen.

Rarely, an "open" procedure through an incision below the ribs may be necessary. This may be required if there is scarring, inflammation, bleeding or unusual anatomy of the common bile duct which prevents safe performance of the laparoscopy.

Occasionally, a gallstone remains in the bile ducts after removal of the gallbladder. In most cases, the stone can be safely removed by passing a flexible telescope through the mouth and stomach into the first part of the intestine. With this telescope the stone can generally be remove from the common bile duct.

After surgery your child will go to the recovery room for one to two hours, then to the surgical floor. After surgery:

  • Your child may drink fluids the evening after the operation.
  • Your child will receive pain medicine through the IV the evening after the operation.
  • The morning following the operation, if your child is not too nauseous, he or she may eat breakfast.
  • Your child will be given a prescription for pain medication at time of discharge. Give pain medicine as prescribed and instructed by your doctor and nurse.
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