What tests should be done before gallstone surgery?

Before gallstone surgery, a series of tests are usually required to evaluate the condition and reduce the risk of surgery. The purpose of these tests is to clarify the condition of gallstones, understand the overall health of the body, and rule out other diseases that may affect the surgery.

Basic examinations for gallstones include abdominal ultrasound, which is the main means of diagnosing gallstones and can clearly show the size and number of stones as well as the condition of the gallbladder wall. If further diagnosis is needed, CT or magnetic resonance imaging may be performed to see if there are bile duct stones or other complications. Blood tests are also important, usually checking liver function, bilirubin levels, and inflammatory markers (such as white blood cells and C-reactive protein) to evaluate whether cholecystitis or the hepatobiliary system is affected.

Routine full-body examinations are also required before surgery to ensure the safety of the surgery. For example, an electrocardiogram is used to assess heart health, and a chest X-ray can check for lung lesions. These examinations can detect risks that may affect anesthesia and surgery in advance. Coagulation function tests are used to determine whether the blood is easy to coagulate or bleed, to ensure that the risk of bleeding during surgery is controllable.

In order to recover more smoothly after surgery, patients can cooperate with doctors to make full preparations before surgery. For example, control diet and try to avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods to reduce the burden on the gallbladder; get enough sleep to enhance the body's immunity. Understanding postoperative care matters and actively adjusting the mental state will help to recover faster. If the examination results show severe cholecystitis or other complex conditions, you should communicate with the doctor as soon as possible and arrange the surgical plan according to the doctor's advice.