What are the serious consequences of cholecystitis?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on November 13, 2024
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The severe consequences of cholecystitis include gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder, leading to obvious signs of peritonitis throughout the abdomen, with noticeable tenderness and rebound pain. For patients with recurrent cholecystitis, it is advisable to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible, as the condition can only be alleviated after the inflammation is under control. During recurrent episodes, surgical treatment should also be considered promptly. Removal of the gallbladder through surgery is the only way to achieve a radical cure. In most cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is chosen because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less damage, and faster recovery, and is therefore often the preferred option in clinical settings. Patients who have undergone surgery should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and better facilitate recovery.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What are the serious consequences of cholecystitis?

The severe consequences of cholecystitis include gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder, leading to obvious signs of peritonitis throughout the abdomen, with noticeable tenderness and rebound pain. For patients with recurrent cholecystitis, it is advisable to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible, as the condition can only be alleviated after the inflammation is under control. During recurrent episodes, surgical treatment should also be considered promptly. Removal of the gallbladder through surgery is the only way to achieve a radical cure. In most cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is chosen because it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less damage, and faster recovery, and is therefore often the preferred option in clinical settings. Patients who have undergone surgery should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and better facilitate recovery.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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How to diagnose cholecystitis?

Firstly, we can use physical examination to check. Acute cholecystitis will show tenderness in the upper right abdomen. If pressing below the right ribs causes significant pain, it is likely to be acute cholecystitis. Secondly, instrument examination can be utilized, with the most common and cost-effective being an ultrasound examination. When examining cholecystitis, fasting is required; no food should be consumed for at least eight hours. Additionally, modern CT scans or MRI can be used to help determine whether there is inflammation in the gallbladder. Blood tests can also be conducted; an increase in white blood cells in a routine blood test can indicate the presence of inflammation.

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Written by Huang Ya Juan
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms and Treatment of Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is divided into acute cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis typically presents very typical and obvious clinical symptoms, primarily manifesting as acute abdominal pain. Acute cholecystitis often occurs after eating greasy food, mainly presenting as severe colicky pain in the upper right abdomen, which is episodic and worsens. The pain may radiate to the right shoulder or back, followed by nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, fever. Some severe cases may also present with jaundice and symptoms of systemic infection and toxicity. Acute simple cholecystitis is often treated non-surgically, and most cases can be cured. If the patient has a history of multiple attacks or the presence of stones, elective cholecystectomy is usually performed later. For suppurative or gangrenous cholecystitis, surgery should be performed promptly after appropriate preparation to remove the diseased gallbladder, typically within three days of onset. If the patient's condition is critical at the time of surgery, or if there is severe local infection and the anatomy is unclear, the doctor will not forcibly remove the gallbladder to avoid major bleeding and damage. Instead, a cholecystostomy may be performed first, followed by cholecystectomy after three months. Chronic cholecystitis, besides occasional upper abdominal discomfort and indigestion, usually shows no prominent symptoms, and most patients only learn about their condition through ultrasound examination. However, for recurrent acute attacks or symptomatic chronic cholecystitis, especially those with stones larger than 1 cm or multiple stones, cholecystectomy should be performed. Elderly or frail individuals with other serious illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease, may receive medical treatment, including general digestive aids and antispasmodic medications. Bile preparations have choleretic effects, can increase the secretion of bile, promote the digestion and absorption of fats, and facilitate the excretion from the gallbladder, which can alleviate symptoms and stabilize the condition. Considering that acute attacks of chronic cholecystitis in elderly people progress rapidly and that emergency surgery has a much higher mortality rate than elective surgery, it is advisable to perform surgery during a remission period. Whether treated with medication or surgery, it is important to follow medical advice.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Gallblitis Symptoms

The symptoms of cholecystitis are divided into chronic cholecystitis and acute cholecystitis, and they present differently clinically. During acute cholecystitis, there is pain in the right upper abdomen in the gallbladder area, accompanied by fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, and even jaundice. Physical examination can reveal obvious tenderness and rebound pain in the right upper abdomen at the gallbladder. In contrast, chronic cholecystitis may not have obvious symptoms. Occasional pain may occur in the gallbladder area, but it is bearable. Typically, there is no obvious tenderness in the area, and the condition usually requires diagnosis through examinations such as an ultrasound.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Does acute cholecystitis fear cold?

Patients with acute cholecystitis may exhibit chills. Due to the acute inflammation of the gallbladder in patients with acute cholecystitis, symptoms such as chills, high fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite which are characteristic of systemic infections may occur. Additionally, patients may experience significant pain in the upper right abdomen, which tends to worsen after eating. In cases of acute cholecystitis, it is crucial to use antibiotics for anti-infection treatment as soon as possible. Only when the inflammation is controlled can the condition be alleviated. In cases where gallstones cause cholecystitis, surgical treatment should be employed promptly. A complete cure can only be achieved by surgically removing the gallbladder. Therefore, it is essential to take acute cholecystitis seriously and seek medical attention promptly to actively manage the condition and significantly improve the patient's prognosis.