Common disorders of the gallbladder/bile duct include:
Common Bile Duct Stones
The common bile duct is the tube that carries bile from the liver to the small intestines. Gallstones can cause a blockage of the common bile duct.
Gallstone Pancreatitis
This disorder exists when there is an irritation of the pancreas that can make it stop working which is commonly caused by gallstones.
Procedures to treat disorders of the gallbladder/bile duct include:
Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal) (link)
This procedure may be necessary if symptoms occur or one of the complications of gallstones develop.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical procedure to remove gallstones. For this operation, the surgeon makes several incisions in the abdomen and inserts surgical instruments and a video camera into the abdomen. The camera sends a magnified image from inside the body to a video monitor, giving the surgeon a closeup view of the organs and tissues. While watching the monitor, the surgeon uses the instruments to carefully separate the gallbladder from the liver, ducts, and other structures. Then the cystic duct is cut and the gallbladder removed through one of the small incisions.Because the abdominal muscles are not cut during laparoscopic surgery, patients have less pain than they would have had after surgery using a large incision across the abdomen. Recovery usually involves only one night in the hospital.
Open Cholecystectomy
This procedure implies that an incision has been made instead of the videoscope being used. An open cholecystectomy is sometimes necessary based on the individual case, prior surgeries, etc.
Common Bile Duct Exploration (link)
A common bile duct exploration is sometimes performed when a stone is found blocking the common bile duct. Tubes, catheters and x-ray guidance are used in this procedure.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiogram with Stone Removal
This is an x-ray and procedure to remove stones in the common bile duct.
Choledocojejunostomy
This procedure is a new "join" or connection between the common bile duct and a portion of the small bowel to provide drainage for the bile duct due to obstruction from a stone, tumor or other disorder.
