Gallbladder stones of all sizes require treatment. However, the surgical criteria for gallstones dictate that it is used as a fairly advanced treatment option for gallbladder stones that are either too big or ones that are not responding to other treatment options. Unlike kidney stones, gallbladder stones can’t be passed out of the body naturally. They are either broken down using medication or taken out using surgery for large gallstones. 

So, let’s review the various gallbladder stone removal guidelines from the top gallbladder stone hospital in Delhi, MASSH. We will also be answering the question, when are gallstones too big for surgery? And how you can avail the best gallbladder surgery in Delhi But first, let’s review the cause of gallbladder stones and its various sizes and risk factors.

Gallbladder Stone Causes

Gallbladder stones are caused by to accumulation of cholesterol in your body. Due to underlying health conditions like diabetes and obesity people are at a higher risk of excess cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol is filtered by the liver from the blood and sent to the bile duct to be destroyed using chemicals secreted by the bile duct.

Due to excess cholesterol in the blood, the entire amount cannot be destroyed by the bile produced by your body. So, when the excess cholesterol accumulates in your body it leads to crystallisation of the cholesterol. Over time it leads to the formation of stones that can range in size from a grain of sand to a tennis ball. Almost 75% of all gallstones are made due to the accumulation of cholesterol in your body. Other reasons for gallstones in your body are gallbladder stasis or excess bilirubin in your body.

These are the most common causes of gallbladder stones in your body. If left unchecked, these stones can disrupt the normal functioning of your body and cause intense pain. You must understand the underlying cause of gallbladder stones to treat the condition. Often treatment without a thorough understanding of the cause of gallstones can lead to recurrence of stones even after surgery.

Gallbladder Stone Sizes & Risk Factors Associated With Them

Even though size is definitely a concerning factor for gallstones, it should be understood that size is not the only defining factor for gallstones to affect your well-being. Smaller gallstones and larger stones pose different health risks and both need to be treated promptly if your body is exhibiting symptoms.

For smaller stones less than 5 mm in size, they can freely move out of your gallbladder. This can cause them to be lodged in your bile duct, which could lead to conditions like pancreatitis and cholecystitis, which are the inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder respectively. Both pancreatitis and cholecystitis are serious health conditions and require medical intervention to be treated.

For larger stones that are larger than 2 cm, they can block the opening of your gallbladder and lead to the erosion of the bile duct over time. It also leads to infections in the region, which can pose significant health risks. Mirizzi syndrome a condition characterized by jaundice and abdominal pain can also be caused by large gallstones. If they are left untreated for a long time, gallstones can increase your risk for gallbladder cancer. Though the condition is rare, it has serious health risks if not treated promptly.

So it is important to understand that gallstones no matter their size have significant health risks and need to be treated accordingly. Let’s review the most common symptoms of gallstones that can help you get an early diagnosis for the condition.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Stones

Common symptoms of gallbladder stones include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Extreme pain in the upper right side of your abdomen
• The pain may radiate from the abdomen and can even be felt in your shoulder blades at some point

These symptoms can last for varying periods ranging from a few minutes to several hours. It is important to monitor your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor if they are recurrent.

When Are Gallstones Too Big For Surgery?

Now that you know about the causes and symptoms of gallstones, you kind of already know the answer to when are gallstones too big for surgery? The answer is, size doesn’t matter. It is the symptoms of gallstones that you should be monitoring. If your abdomen is hurting badly, regardless of the size of your gallstones, you need to avail treatment. 

And in certain cases if your body is not exhibiting symptoms, but you happen to get a diagnosis for gallstones, it is also advisable to opt for the treatment then itself. Watchful waiting can be painful in this case as it can lead to the condition worsening.

Gallbladder Stone Treatment

Gallstones can be treated in one of three ways. It can be treated using lifestyle or dietary changes at an introductory level. These changes can also help you limit your risk of gallstones in the first place. Medications are used to treat smaller stones, which can be dissolved using the medications. Lastly, surgery is used to remove stones from your gallbladder that are bigger than 10 mm in size. Let’s review each treatment option in detail.

• Dietary Changes

Dietary changes such as limiting the consumption of fatty foods can help relieve the symptoms of gallstones. Limiting dairy products is also recommended by doctors. Limiting dairy and fatty food can help your body reduce its cholesterol levels. As cholesterol is one of the leading causes for gallstones, cutting down on your cholesterol levels can often help manage your symptoms in earlier stages.

• Medication

Medications are also helpful in managing gallstones. Ursodiol is a medication commonly prescribed to patients to dissolve gallstones. This medication is used to treat gallstones that are smaller and don’t require surgery. In some cases, they are also used for patients who can’t go through surgery. Though these medicines have side effects, doctors prescribe them judiciously to ensure patients are safe and don’t have significant health concerns.

• Surgery

Surgery is often the most popular treatment option for gallstones as it is the most effective and least time-consuming treatment option. Thanks to laparoscopic surgery, the recovery period for surgical treatment of gallstones has reduced significantly. Even non-invasive procedures like lithotripsy are used to treat gallstones, which greatly reduces the time it takes to treat gallstones regardless of their size.

Conclusion

Now that you know the surgical criteria for gallstones, it is important you keep your symptoms in check and make sure you inform your doctor about them as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is the best way to deal with gallstones as it can be painful when they have grown in size. For more information about gallbladder surgery in Delhi, check out MASSH. We specialize in minimally invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures that can help you treat gallstones with minimal recovery periods and risks. Check out our website or visit us today to learn more about our gallstone treatment options.