Specialist Upper Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgeon
Secretary: Elizabeth Venn
Telephone: 07903 069 861
Specialist Upper Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgeon
As a specialist in gallbladder surgery, Mr Clarke follows latest national and international guidelines (see resources) in the investigation and management of patients with gallstones, utilizing the most up-to-date surgical techniques, including laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and intra-operative ultrasound.
The gallbladder is a small sac attached to the underside of the liver. Its function is to store and then release bile (a fluid consisting of water, bile salts, bilirubin and fats) into the intestine after eating a meal in order to aid digestion of fat.
Gallstones develop when there is an imbalance in the constituents of the bile within the gallbladder causing sedimentation
There are 5 main conditions related to gallstones:-
Biliary colic: A gallstone becomes stuck in the exit channel from the gallbladder (commonly after eating a fatty meal) resulting in the gallbladder squeezing repeatedly to clear the blockage. The stone eventually drops back inside the gallbladder clearing the exit.
Cholecystitis: As above but the blockage fails to clear and inflammation +/-infection then develops inside the gallbladder.
Common bile duct blockage: A stone passes out of the gallbladder into the main bile drainage system (common bile duct) and becomes stuck causing a blockage to bile drainage.
Pancreatitis: The pancreas gland, responsible for controlling blood sugar (through insulin & glucagon production) and producing chemicals (enzymes) to help break down food, can develop inflammation when a gallstone passes through the main bile duct and alters drainage from the pancreas gland.
Gallstone Ileus: This is a rare condition in which a gallstone erodes through the wall of the gallbladder into the small intestine (duodenum) and can subsequently cause a blockage of the bowel.
– Patient has no symptoms
– Patient is not fit enough for a surgical procedure
– Patient choice
Generally ineffective and only useful in those not fit for surgery with very small stones. There is a high incidence of stones reforming.
Patients who have symptoms affecting their quality of life
Patients who have had a complication related to their gallstones (e.g. cholecystitis, common bile duct blockage, pancreatitis)
Patients with a stone in the common bile duct where either surgical removal of the stone at the time of gallbladder surgery is deemed unsuitable, the patients is not fit for surgery or the patient has had their gallbladder removed previously
Patients with gallstone related pancreatitis who are not fit for gallbladder surgery
Once a decision is made to go ahead with surgery, you will need to attend the pre-assessment clinic at which a number of routine checks and blood tests will be performed. You may be asked to complete a special liver reducing diet in the one or two weeks prior to surgery.
The gallbladder is removed using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. It requires 4 small stab incisions in the skin (measuring 5mm-10mm), all of which are closed using dissolvable stitches. In a small number of cases (3%) a larger incision may be required. You will routinely be issued anti-embolism stockings to wear during the surgery. The procedure normally takes around 45 minutes.
Where the patient has previously had abnormal liver function blood tests or has widening of the main bile duct on ultrasound scan, an x-ray (cholangiogram) or ultrasound is performed during the surgery to ensure no gallstones are in the main bile duct. If stones are seen within a widened common bile duct (over 8mm wide) they can be removed at the same time using a small telescope and basket.
Most patients are discharged on the same day as the operation (daycase). Patients are normally ready to be discharged around 4-6 hours following surgery. You will be discharged with painkillers and written post-operative instructions. All stitches are dissolvable. The waterproof dressings are suitable for the shower and can be removed after 7 days.
Full recovery takes two weeks after keyhole surgery, but may take 4 weeks after open surgery.
Other conditions affecting the gallbladder
This is a poorly understood condition in which the gallbladder is thought to not empty properly after a meal, resulting in similar pains to those experienced with gallstones. Diagnosis is commonly made using a HIDA scan (a nuclear medicine scan assessing activity within the gallbladder after eating cream or a fatty meal). Surgery can lead to an improvement of symptoms in over 90% of patients.
In some patients a small swelling (polyp) may arise from the wall of the gallbladder with or without gallstones. Where a polyp less than 1cm is detected this is normally followed up by surveillance ultrasound, however once this reaches over 1cm in size, current recommendations are for the gallbladder to be removed due to the potential for cancer cells to be found within the polyp.
This describes a hardening of the wall of the gallbladder (calcification) giving it a ‘porcelain’ appearance. Due to its possible relationship with future gallbladder cancer, surgery to remove the gallbladder may be recommended.
This is a rare cancer and more commonly affects those aged over 70 years. It often causes no symptoms in the early stages but later may cause upper abdominal pain, jaundice and weight loss. If this diagnosis is suspected you may require a more detailed x-ray scan (CT scan) to decide if it can be treated with surgery.
Mr Clarke was courteous and respectful to me and explained my condition and treatment required. I was very happy with my post op recovery and had very little pain. I would not hesitate to contact Mr Clarke if I ever needed his help again.
I felt that Mr Clarke listened to me really well and thoroughly investigated my symptoms before deciding surgery was the best option
The whole experience from start to finish was done in a very empathetic and professional way. I was given ample time for questions and all tension and worry was removed form the procedure.
I highly commend his approachable friendly manner. He made me feel at ease and informed through all aspects of my treatment and surgery.
Surgery, care and follow-up were carried out to a very high standard. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Mr Clarke to others.
I found Mr Clarke extremely confident in this line of surgery, knowledgeable and very nice. Had a great ability to keep me at ease throughout.
Perfect from referral to discharge. Everything explained fully. Every discussion with Mr Clarke was perfectly judged.
Mr Clarke was outstanding from the start of my treatment to the end. He was empathetic, knowledgeable, respectful and made you feel at ease.
Mr Clarke was extremely efficient both in consultation and surgery. He was very caring and took time to explain procedures. I would highly recommend him.
Very pleased with outcome of op from Mr Clarke. Just like 2016 he was very helpful and so professional. Would definitely recommend.
Excellent manner both in consultation, pre- and post-op. Would definitely be happy to see him and recommend to others requiring surgery.
Mr Clarke made the whole experience a breeze. So calm, polite and understanding of patients' needs.
My introduction to Mr Clarke was met with a warm smile and a firm handshake. He was professional and friendly and put me at ease. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Clarke.
Mr Clarke did everything he said he would. Appointments came through quickly and I was made to feel comfortable and I had confidence in Mr Clarke from the outset.
Mr Clarke has been most helpful to my specific situation. He made allowances for me and adapted to my particular health issues.
Mr Clarke could not have done more for me. He looked after me and made me feel important and safe.
Whole experience was very professional, so felt safe in his hands. Communication so important and Mr Clarke was brilliant.