We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Cholecystitis Treatment?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,441
Share

Cholecystitis is a potentially serious condition that involves gallbladder inflammation, abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Early and accurate cholecystitis treatment in a hospital is essential to prevent major complications. There are several different approaches to treatment, and doctors choose the best options based on each patient's symptoms, overall health, and any underlying causes that are discovered. After receiving intravenous fluids and medications to ease their symptoms, most patients need to undergo a surgical procedure called a cholecystectomy to remove their gallbladders. Cholecystectomy may be performed immediately in life-threatening circumstances or several weeks or months after initial cholecystitis treatment if most symptoms resolve.

The main goal of emergency cholecystitis treatment is to stabilize vital signs, lower fever, and stop the spread of infection. Hospitalized patients are given intravenous antibiotics and antiemetic drugs that ease nausea and vomiting. Pain medications, such as morphine, are commonly administered as well. If vomiting and cramps are extensive, a long tube may be inserted through the nose to draw excess bile and fluid out of the stomach. The stomach is usually kept empty for several hours or days until symptoms begin to subside.

Some cases of cholecystitis that are caused by infection clear up completely after about one week of hospital care. In most instances, however, problems persist because gallstones or other obstructions are responsible for symptoms. Patients who have been diagnosed with gallstones but still manage to recover from acute attacks of cholecystitis typically need surgery in a few weeks or months. If a patient's gallbladder is in good shape, he or she may only need a simple endoscopic procedure to dissolve or remove the stones. Cholecystectomy is only necessary if the organ has been permanently, severely damaged.

A non-emergency cholecystectomy can be performed as a laparoscopic procedure, a minimally-invasive operation that is accomplished through three or four very small incisions in the abdomen. A lighted endoscope is inserted through an incision to guide the procedure. The surgeon manipulates scalpels and other instruments through other incisions to remove the gallbladder, cauterize blood vessels, and repair surrounding tissue. After surgical cholecystitis treatment, a patient can expect to spend several weeks in bed and maintain a liquid and soft food diet for at least one month.

If symptoms become life-threatening while the patient is in the hospital, an emergency cholecystectomy may be the only effective cholecystitis treatment. Since the procedure must be performed right away, laparoscopic surgery may not be an option. A surgical team may need to perform an open procedure to quickly uncover and remove the gallbladder. It generally takes longer to recover from open cholecystectomy, and a person might be in the hospital for up to one month. Most people do eventually recover when they seek early treatment and follow their doctors' instructions about follow-up care.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-cholecystitis-treatment.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.