Gallstones, Surgery FAQ

Understanding the Differences Between Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis What are the differences between acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis? What kind of situations can occur?

Dr. Huang Yuanhui Reply:
Hello: The main differences between acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis lie in the frequency of episodes, symptoms, and pathological changes. Acute pancreatitis typically refers to a single episode of pancreatitis, commonly seen in patients with gallstones, with the prima...

Can Treating Gallstones Cure Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis Does pancreatitis caused by gallstones resolve once the gallstones are treated?

Dr. Huang Yuanhui Reply:
Most cases of pancreatitis caused by gallstones improve after the gallstones are treated.

Gallstones: Should I See a Gastroenterologist or Surgeon?

Gallstones? Dear Doctor, In April of this year, I was diagnosed with a gallstone approximately 1.5 cm in size at Tri-Service General Hospital. The physician there mentioned that surgery would be necessary if I experienced pain. Yesterday (July 2), an abdominal ultrasound at a ho...

Dr. He Zhenming Reply:
Based on your symptoms, you meet the criteria for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Please schedule an appointment with the gastroenterology surgery department, and we will perform another abdominal ultrasound.

Understanding CA 19-9 Levels: What Mild Abnormalities Mean for Your Health

Health check-up The CA 19-9 test shows a slight abnormality in your health check. What does this mean? Given my age, what could be the reasons for the elevated levels? Thank you.

Dr. Huang Zhihui Reply:
CA 19-9 is a tumor marker that is primarily elevated in cancers of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. The normal value is < 37 U/mL. However, a level above 120 U/mL is typically required to have diagnostic significance (indicating a high suspicion of cancer). Conditions such...

Understanding Gallstones: Ultrasound vs. Surgery for Treatment

Gallbladder stones issues? Doctor, I am a patient with gallstones. I heard that gallstones can be shattered using ultrasound. Is that true? If ultrasound can be used, why does my doctor want to perform surgery? Which method is better, ultrasound or endoscopic surgery?

Dr. He Zhenming Reply:
Hello: Currently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the primary treatment for gallstones, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is not suitable. Wishing you good health!

Understanding Hard Scars After Gallbladder Surgery: Causes and Care Tips

The wound scar is hard? Hello Doctor: I had traditional surgery for gallstones three months ago, and some areas of the incision feel hard to the touch, while the surface is flat. What could be the reason for this? I am still using adhesive strips for cosmetic purposes; how long s...

Dr. He Zhenming Reply:
Hello: After traditional cholecystectomy, the incision may feel a bit firm due to scabbing, but it usually improves over time. Using silicone gel for three months is sufficient. Wishing you good health!

Abdominal Pain When Pressing: Possible Causes and Concerns

Pressing on the abdomen causes pain? I have pain when pressing on my abdomen (about 2-3 centimeters above the navel on the right side). It feels like there is something there, but it also feels like there isn't. Could this be a lipoma, gallstones, or another condition? Thank...

Dr. He Zhenming Reply:
Hello: Based on your symptoms, it doesn't seem like gallstones. Please visit the outpatient clinic for an ultrasound examination, which should help determine if there is anything abnormal. Wishing you good health.

Understanding Enlarged Spleen Tail: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

The tail of the spleen is slightly enlarged? My husband went to the hospital for an ultrasound and found that the tail of his spleen seems to be enlarged, and he sometimes experiences pain in the upper abdomen. What treatment options are available? He also had blood tests done, b...

Dr. Niu Zhenyuan Reply:
1. Location and Function of the Pancreas The pancreas, commonly referred to as the "waist stick," is located in the upper abdomen (attached to the posterior abdominal wall) and is near the stomach, duodenum, liver, and gallbladder. The common bile duct passes through ...

Understanding the Symptoms of Orbital Inflammation: A Surgical Perspective

Chalazion What are the symptoms of sialadenitis?

Dr. Huang Zhihui Reply:
The most common symptom of pancreatitis is upper abdominal pain, which can vary in intensity. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the back. Mild cases may resolve with a few days of fasting, while severe cases (especially those with complications) can be life-threatening. The ...

Understanding Gallstones: Symptoms, Risks, and When to Consider Surgery

Gallstones Dear Dr. Huang, I would like to ask you about a health check I had in April 2003, where I was diagnosed with gallstones, the largest being approximately 1.8 cm. Some people have suggested surgery, stating that a 1.8 cm stone is quite large. Can gallstones grow larger ...

Dr. Huang Zhihui Reply:
The main symptom of gallstones is pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after consuming fatty foods. Sometimes, the pain may radiate to the right side of the back. A small number of individuals may be misdiagnosed with gastric pain. If the inflammation of the gallbladder is...

Understanding Right Side Chest Pain: Is It Gallstones or Cholecystitis?

Liver and gallbladder Hello, doctor. I have pain under the right side of my sternum. Could it be gallstones or cholecystitis?

Dr. Liu Mingyue Reply:
Hello Ms. Wu: Generally, pain under the right rib cage is often related to liver or gallbladder issues, but it could also be due to inflammation of the nerves or fascia beneath the ribs. It is best to consult a physician for a differential diagnosis. If the pain is located below ...

Gallstones: Understanding Risks, Treatment Options, and Prevention Tips

Gallstones Recently, I visited a doctor due to persistent abdominal bloating and discovered that I have multiple gallstones. I consulted two large, reputable hospitals. One repeatedly emphasized the need to remove the gallbladder to prevent future complications, but my family dis...

Dr. Huang Zhihui Reply:
"Gallstones," more accurately referred to as "gallbladder stones," are a common condition. According to foreign literature, approximately over 10% of the adult population has gallstones, and the incidence increases with age, with rates as high as 30-40% among ...

Understanding Gallbladder Polyps: Risks and Next Steps for Patients

Gallbladder polyp I was hospitalized for acute hepatitis in 1993, and since then, my liver function tests have been normal, although I have been diagnosed with fatty liver and am under follow-up treatment. In 1998, I experienced severe gastroesophageal reflux, where I would regur...

Dr. Li Mingjie Reply:
In general, polyps larger than 1 centimeter, with irregular shapes or those that are gradually increasing in size, have a higher chance of being malignant. It is recommended to undergo ultrasound examinations every six months to a year for regular monitoring, as early diagnosis a...

Alternative Treatments and Risks of Gallstones: What You Need to Know

Gallstones 1. Besides laparoscopic cholecystectomy, are there other treatment options for gallstones? Is it possible to use medication to dissolve or expel the stones? 2. What are the risks associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Are there any long-term complications afte...

Dr. Qiu Shoutiao Reply:
ANSWER: 1. There are no other treatment options. Dissolution therapy is designed specifically for cholesterol-based gallstones (common in Western populations), but statistics show that once the medication is discontinued, cholesterol stones can re-form. Dissolution therapy is &qu...

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