Gallbladder and biliary tract disorders

Abstract

Gallbladder diseases include disorders of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are common diseases of the gallbladder. The main known factors are gallstones, pathogenic microorganisms, gallbladder motility disorders, advancing age and female gender. In cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis, pain and tenderness radiate to the right shoulder or middle of the sternum, and physical examination reveals upper abdominal rigidity, nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis is mainly made by radiological methods such as history, physical examination, ultrasound, blood count and liver enzymes. The patient should be educated about the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, possible complications, regular medication and diet, and appropriate care measures should be taken until cholecystectomy. In chronic cholecystitis, in addition to appropriate pharmacological treatment, lifestyle modification is recommended, such as eliminating intolerable foods from the diet, quitting smoking, and controlling obesity. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.