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MBBS
MMed
MRCS (IRE)
FRCSED
FAMS
Gallstones are small, hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. They can vary in size and number, and there are two main types of gallstones: cholesterol stones and pigment stones.
In many cases, gallstones do not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment. If a gallstone blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts, it can lead to inflammation or infection of the gallbladder or other serious conditions affecting the liver and pancreas.
The formation of gallstones is influenced by several factors, including:
The primary cause of gallstone formation is an imbalance in the chemical composition of bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. This imbalance can lead to the crystallisation of bile components, forming gallstones. For cholesterol stones, the imbalance involves an excess of cholesterol in bile, while for pigment stones, it is an excess of bilirubin.
The gallbladder’s main role is to store and concentrate bile. If the gallbladder does not empty completely or regularly, the resulting concentrated bile may increase the risk of gallstone formation.
Many people with gallstones do not experience symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often include:
The diagnosis of gallstones involves a combination of clinical assessment, imaging studies, and sometimes laboratory tests:
This is the primary imaging technique used to detect gallstones. It is non-invasive and highly effective at identifying stones within the gallbladder.
CT scans can help diagnose complications or rule out other causes of abdominal pain.
MRCP is a specialised MRI technique that can visualise the biliary and pancreatic systems, providing valuable insights for diagnosing conditions like gallstones.
Consult our dual fellowship-trained surgeon for a personalised treatment plan today.
Preventing the formation of gallstones may not always be possible, but some measures can reduce the risk.
MBBS (SG)
MMed (Surg)
MRCS (Ire)
FRCSEd (Gen)
FAMS (Surg)
Dr Thng Yongxian is a dual fellowship-trained Hepatopancreatobiliary & General Surgeon who has performed over 6000 surgical procedures.
He pursued his subspecialty training in Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery first in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. Following this, he completed a clinical fellowship in Minimally Invasive Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital in Bundang, South Korea.
Dr Thng set up and pioneered the Minimally invasive surgery program for his hospital in complex liver and pancreas cases. His surgeries were featured on live national television. His surgical videos have also been presented at international surgical conferences. He also pioneered the use of capsule colonoscopy for colorectal screening.
Dr Thng has served on various committees at hospital, cluster and ministry level. Dr Thng served as a member of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Clinician workgroup for value-driven care (VDC).
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820 Thomson Road, #06-05 ,Singapore 574623
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-06, Singapore 228510
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-43, Singapore 329563
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
319 Joo Chiat Place, #05-01, Singapore 427989
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday, Sunday & PH: Closed
6 Napier Road, #05-10, Singapore 258499
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
820 Thomson Road, #06-05 ,Singapore 574623
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm
(Lunch: 1.00-2.00pm)
Saturday: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sunday & PH: Closed
Small gallstones can sometimes pass through the bile ducts into the intestine and be expelled naturally. However, the passage of small gallstones through the bile ducts can potentially lead to pancreatitis or cholangitis. Larger gallstones are unlikely to dissolve on their own and may require treatment.
While specific dietary changes can help prevent the formation of new gallstones, they are unlikely to dissolve existing gallstones. Medication can be ineffective for gallstones.
A pregnant woman can develop gallstones. Pregnancy increases the risk of gallstones due to hormonal changes that can lead to a higher concentration of cholesterol in bile and slower gallbladder emptying. These factors can contribute to the formation of gallstones during pregnancy.
The recovery period can vary depending on the type of surgery. For laparoscopic cholecystectomy, most people can return to normal activities within a week, although some may require more time. Open surgery may require a longer recovery time, typically around 4 to 6 weeks.