Doctors in Lucknow Remove Rare Giant Gallbladder from 35-Year-Old Woman
Lucknow: A team of doctors at Lucknow’s Civil Hospital has successfully removed a rare giant gallbladder, measuring over 15 cm, from a 35-year-old woman, providing her much-needed relief. The patient, Shalini Tiwari, sought medical attention after experiencing severe abdominal pain, as reported by IANS.
An ultrasound revealed that she had gallstone disease, which is characterized by hardened deposits in the gallbladder. However, during surgery, doctors discovered something more unusual—her gallbladder was significantly enlarged, measuring over double the normal size of 7-8 cm.
“Per operatively, we found that the patient had a giant gallbladder, more than 15 cm in size. The normal size of the gallbladder is about 7-8 cm. The surgery, called giant cholecystectomy, is rare. Only nine cases have been reported worldwide to date,” said Dr. Suramya Pandey, general surgeon at Lucknow Civil Hospital, speaking to IANS.
The surgery was carried out efficiently, and the patient was discharged after five days, free from any post-operative complications.
“The patient was managed efficiently by the team, and the surgery went uneventfully,” Dr. Pandey added.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located just below the liver, responsible for storing bile, a digestive fluid made by the liver. A giant gallbladder is a rare condition that can occur due to cholecystitis (inflammation), gallstones, gallbladder cancer, or other underlying diseases. It can mimic the symptoms of other abdominal issues, making it challenging to diagnose.
Giant gallbladders can be difficult to diagnose, as their symptoms often resemble those of other abdominal conditions, such as tumours or infections. In many cases, the patient experiences sharp, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, back pain between the shoulder blades, and right shoulder pain. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, and the enlarged gallbladder can put additional pressure on surrounding organs.
Doctors stressed that early detection and timely treatment are crucial for managing such rare conditions. If left untreated, a giant gallbladder can lead to complications such as digestive issues, infections, and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Gallstones are often the primary cause of gallbladder enlargement, but other factors, such as infection or underlying diseases like cancer, can also contribute. For Shalini Tiwari, the diagnosis was challenging due to the rarity of this condition, but she was fortunate to have sought timely medical care.
(with inputs from IANS)
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.