Gallstone disease results from a metabolic disorder.

The concentration of salts increases in the case of biliary drainage disorders. Bile constituents may start depositing in the bile duct or gallbladder, resulting in gallstones.

Gallstone disease may be caused by:

• sedentary lifestyle
• obesity and rapid weight change
• constipation
• difficult pregnancy
• low fluid intake
• diabetes

Sharp and stabbing pain may be felt in the bile duct, sometimes in the liver, which may spread to the left arm. The pain often occurs in the evenings or at night, caused by the movement of the gallstone in the bile duct or gall bladder.

This may be aroused by:

• alcohol
• fat food
• physical exercise
• smoking
• stress

In many cases the gallstone may not cause discomfort and need not be removed. In more severe cases gallstones can lead to other diseases such as cholecystitis, pancreatitis and biliary obstruction.

At Christinas Clinic laparoscopic surgery is performed to treat gallstone disease. Short incisions are made to remove the gallbladder and close the cystic duct as well as the artery. The advantage of such a technique is fast recovery and small scars.