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What Happens if Gallstones Are Left Untreated?
Symptoms, Risks and Complications
Gallstones are a common condition affecting the gallbladder. Many people may have gallstones without ever developing symptoms, and not all patients require surgery.
However, once gallstones begin to cause symptoms or complications, leaving them untreated can lead to increasingly serious problems, ranging from recurrent pain to life-threatening infection or pancreatitis.
Do all gallstones need surgery?
No. Most people with gallstones do not require an operation.
In general:
- Many gallstones are found incidentally
- Only a smaller group of patients develop symptoms or complications
Surgery is usually recommended when gallstones begin causing:
- Pain
- Infection
- Obstruction of the bile ducts
- Pancreatitis or other complications
The first symptom: biliary colic
The most common early symptom caused by gallstones is biliary colic.
This typically involves:
- Sudden upper abdominal pain
- Pain lasting between 45 minutes and 1–2 hours
- Symptoms occurring after fatty meals or dairy products
- Episodes that settle and later return
This type of pain is caused by temporary blockage of the gallbladder outlet by a gallstone.
Although painful, biliary colic is usually the least severe complication of gallstones.
Can gallstones cause infection?
Yes. If symptoms become more severe and are associated with:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Persistent pain
this may indicate infection of the gallbladder, known as cholecystitis.
Cholecystitis often requires:
- Hospital admission
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Specialist assessment
In selected cases, surgery may be performed during the early stages of the infection.
Can gallstones cause jaundice?
Gallstones can sometimes move into the bile ducts and block the normal flow of bile.
This may cause:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
When bile cannot drain normally, it may flow back into the bloodstream, leading to jaundice.
What is cholangitis?
If an obstructed bile duct becomes infected, this can lead to cholangitis, a potentially serious and life-threatening condition.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Severe abdominal pain
This requires urgent medical treatment.
Can gallstones cause pancreatitis?
Yes. Gallstones can block the pancreatic duct and trigger pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
Gallstone pancreatitis can range from:
- Mild inflammation
to - Severe, life-threatening illness involving multiple organs
Because it is impossible to predict when complications may occur, symptomatic gallstones are often treated surgically to prevent future problems.
Can the gallbladder perforate?
In rare cases, untreated gallstones may lead to perforation of the gallbladder.
This occurs when:
- Pressure from the stones affects blood supply to the gallbladder wall
- The tissue becomes damaged
- A hole (perforation) develops
Gallbladder perforation is a surgical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
How are symptomatic gallstones treated?
The most effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones is removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
This is usually performed using minimally invasive techniques:
- Laparoscopic (keyhole) gallbladder surgery
- Robotic gallbladder surgery
Both approaches aim to minimise surgical trauma and support faster recovery.
When should you seek medical advice?
You should seek specialist assessment if you experience:
- Recurrent upper abdominal pain
- Symptoms after fatty meals
- Fever or nausea associated with pain
- Jaundice
- Persistent digestive symptoms
Early treatment can help prevent serious complications.
Why choose Mr Ash Rohatgi
Ash Rohatgi is a Consultant Upper GI Surgeon in London with experience in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for gallstones and gallbladder conditions.
His approach focuses on:
- Careful patient assessment
- Precision surgical techniques
- Minimising surgical trauma where possible
Ash Rohatgi is a Consultant Upper GI Surgeon in London with experience in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for gallstones and gallbladder conditions.
His approach focuses on:
- Careful patient assessment
- Precision surgical techniques
- Minimising surgical trauma where possible
Book a consultation
If you are experiencing symptoms related to gallstones, such as abdominal pain, nausea or digestive discomfort, a specialist assessment can help determine whether treatment is required. A consultation with Mr Ash Rohatgi, Consultant Upper GI Surgeon in London, includes a full evaluation, appropriate investigations, and a discussion of treatment options, including minimally invasive and robotic gallbladder surgery where appropriate.
