Gallbladder & Bile Duct Issues

Benign gallbladder polyps are often discovered through an abdominal ultrasound, when a “growth” is detected in the lining of the gallbladder wall (known as mucosa).

However, gallbladder polyps found on an ultrasound image can in time become malignant (gallbladder cancer). The risk can be estimated depending on the size and changing features over time that your specialist can see on ultrasound. An operation to remove the gallbladder (which is usually done laparoscopically) may be advised, depending on the assessment of the risk of the polyp to become malignant.

At The Liver Centre , some of Perth’s most experienced surgeons specialising in gallbladder treatment, will assist you with the most convenient treatment options. Our role is also to offer you kindness, care and support during your treatment. So if you have any questions about gallbladder or bile duct issues, contact our friendly staff at our Perth practice and they will book your appointment with our doctors at the earliest convenience, reducing the wait time as much as possible.

It’s important to remember that the gallbladder only acts as additional storage for bile. That’s why gallbladder removal will not cause major impairments to a normal life in the very large majority of patients.  

In contrast, patients with symptomatic gallstones will be at risk of more serious or sinister complications from gallstones such as inflammation (cholecystitis), pancreatitis, cholangitis (serious infection or sepsis from stones stuck in the bile ducts), gallbladder polyps and cancer.

Operation via laparoscopic surgery is very safe and patients go home following overnight stay or even sometimes on the same day of the operation (depending on your surgeon’s recommendation).  

As a team of experienced health professionals we always aim to organise your surgical treatment plan with your comfort in mind. We believe you don’t just deserve expert surgery; you also deserve support, care, kindness and comfort as you prepare for a surgical procedure that disrupts your everyday life.

Common bile duct stones are also called Choledocholitiasis or “gallstones in the common bile duct”. The “Common Bile Duct” (or CBD) is a very important tube-like structure that allows the flow of bile fluid from both the liver and gallbladder into the duodenum (a segment of small intestine that receives the food after being digested in the stomach).

Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder, but a small percentage of patients will experience gallstones in the common bile duct. The stones normally remain in the gallbladder, but if small enough, could pass through into the common bile duct.

Some patients don’t experience any symptoms, but when a stone obstructs the duct, you may experience abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice, fever, loss of appetite or stools that are clay-coloured. If the stone also obstructs the duct draining the pancreas, it may trigger a pancreatitis.

Treatment for this condition will depend on several factors but the most important one is whether you have sepsis (a life-threatening systemic bacterial infection, or also known as cholangitis). In case of sepsis, it will require admission to hospital for urgent medical treatment with intravenous antibiotics and potentially a procedure such as a ERCP (flexible camera procedure via the mouth; Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) to remove the stones in the CBD only.

Treatment for bile duct stones may consist of a bile duct exploration or a combined laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) and bile duct exploration.

When you speak to your specialist doctor at The Liver Centre , we will discuss the nature of the pain you experience, and plan the tests that are needed for a thorough diagnosis. Our team will then plan the most comfortable and most suitable treatment for you. Whilst our surgeons focus delivering the best possible surgical outcomes, our whole team is by your side to support you with a caring experience and support.