Conditions/Hepatobiliary
Gallbladder Disease
Stones, cholecystitis, polyps, and cancer pathways
Most symptomatic stone disease is cured by removing the gallbladder — timing and technique still matter.
Gallstones, acute cholecystitis, bile-duct stones, polyps, and gallbladder cancer each need a different plan — they are not one diagnosis with one operation. Biliary colic after fatty meals differs from fever-associated cholecystitis or jaundice from duct obstruction. Ultrasound is the usual first step; MRCP or ERCP enters when duct stones or complications are suspected. For most symptomatic stone disease, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is definitive; robotic assistance is reserved for selected anatomy. Polyps are managed by size, growth, and imaging features rather than fear alone.
Educational figures
Tap a figure to enlarge. These English illustrations mirror the Turkish hub gallery for this condition.
Gallstones Cholecystitis Polyps Robotic option
Stones are not one emergency
Biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis demand different urgency.
Polyps need thresholds
Size, growth, and imaging features guide surveillance versus surgery.
Minimally invasive standard
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy cures most symptomatic stone disease.
Robotic option
Selected complex anatomy may benefit from robotic assistance — not every case.
Key points for patients
- Symptom patterns and urgencyTap for details · key note inside
Right-upper-quadrant pain after fatty meals suggests biliary colic. Fever with local tenderness points toward cholecystitis. Jaundice, dark urine, or high fever with rigors raises concern for duct obstruction or cholangitis and needs urgent pathways.
- Colic after fatty meals
- Fever + RUQ tenderness
- Jaundice / dark urine
- Severe pain with vomiting
- Asymptomatic stonesTap for details
Not every stone needs immediate surgery. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is individualized by symptoms, comorbidities, travel/access risk, and rare high-risk features — not by stone count alone.
- Polyps and surveillanceTap for details · key note insideImportantSmall stable polyps are often watched; large or growing ones are not ignored.
Most gallbladder polyps are cholesterol polyps. Size thresholds, growth on serial ultrasound, and suspicious morphology decide follow-up versus cholecystectomy.
- Surgery optionsTap for details
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the world standard for most symptomatic disease. Open conversion remains a safety decision, not a failure. Robotic cholecystectomy is discussed when it may improve exposure in selected anatomy.
- After gallbladder removalTap for details
Most patients eat a normal diet within weeks. Transient loose stools can occur; persistent pain, jaundice, or fever after surgery needs prompt review rather than “waiting it out.”
Patient journey
In this hub — follow the pathway step by step. Full Turkish illustrated pages remain linked from each chapter.
- 1
Gallbladder Polyps
Size, growth, and when surveillance becomes surgery
Continue this step → - 2
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: what the procedure aims to do and who it fits
Continue this step → - 3
Robotic Gallbladder Surgery
Robotic surgery: what the procedure aims to do and who it fits
Continue this step →
Patient education videos
From Dr. Dibekoğlu’s official YouTube channel.
Gallbladder surgery overview
Appointment / info
Bring ultrasound and blood-test reports if available — they speed the distinction between observation, elective surgery, and urgent care.
Educational information only; not a substitute for clinical evaluation.
Medical editor: Assoc. Prof. Cengiz Dibekoğlu, MD · English patient-education hub.