Patient: Director Wang, I am a patient with gallstones who started to ask for your advice on the 13th of this month. Today I got the physical examination report from Shanghai Changhai Hospital. The report is described as follows: The normal gallbladder fossa with no echogenic area disappears and only an arc-shaped strong echogenic band is seen with a wide and loud shadow behind. Physical examination tips: (1) Eat regularly, limit greasy food, prevent and control hypercholesterolemia. (2) Please consult a specialist and review regularly. Hepatobiliary surgical treatment if necessary. My first medical checkup showed low serum HDL-C of 0.86 and normal LDL of 2.98. Also, my carcinoembryonic antigen CEA was 4.74, which is within the normal range, but seems to be high, is it related to gallstones? Wang Jijun, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Wang Jijun, Minimally Invasive Surgery Department, Ningxia Autonomous Region People’s Hospital: According to the ultrasound, it suggests a filled stone or a large amount of bile mud. Your gallbladder is no longer functional and surgery is recommended. The high carcinoembryonic antigen alone is not very significant.
Patient: Thank you, Director Wang! I’m going to go to Changhai Hospital for treatment, but I’m a little apprehensive, I don’t know if it can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. Also, if I don’t have a gallbladder after surgery, what kind of impact will it have on my health in the future? I’ve searched the internet, but there are different opinions. Thank you!
Wang Jijun, Minimally Invasive Surgery Department, Ningxia Autonomous Region People’s Hospital: You should be able to have laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After cholecystectomy, it mainly affects digestion, so a light diet should be the mainstay within six months, and a normal diet should be resumed after six months. But try to eat less fried food.
Patient: Director Wang, I successfully underwent minimally invasive cholecystectomy at Changhai Hospital on June 26th. 29th I was discharged home. Thank you for the advice and courage you gave me. One month before the surgery, I insisted on taking anti-inflammatory drugs, and the pre-operative ultrasound was much better than the physical ultrasound, the stone was under 4 cm and the thickness of the bile wall was less than 3. These tips gave me a better mindset for the surgery. Although far away and although I have not seen you, your medical ethics have always touched me. Thank you! I wish you all the best!
Wang Jijun, Minimally Invasive Surgery Department, Ningxia Autonomous Region People’s Hospital: Everything went well with the surgery and recovery was excellent. It has a lot to do with your body and good mind. I wish you good health and happiness! Thank you for the flowers and good wishes.