Problems related to Yaz and gallbladder disease are nearly always caused by gallstones. Please contact us for the latest Yaz gallbladder class action lawsuit type litigation. Cases are currently being filed individually and are being administered through what is referred to as multi-district litigation which is different than a class action. After forming within the gall bladder, stones usually remain silent; they are absent of symptoms, and cause no noticeable side effects. If, however, the stones move near the organ’s opening, or migrate into the cystic duct, they can prevent bile from exiting. Bile will eventually grow stagnant inside the gall bladder, and cause inflammation of the inner wall. This triggers intense pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen. The pain is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

In most cases, Yaz gallbladder disease symptoms are resolved by surgically removing the organ using a procedure called cholecystectomy. It can be performed with laparoscopy or open surgery. The former has largely replaced the latter. Both approaches offer benefits. Both also pose a risk of serious complications.

Advantages Of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Laparoscopy involves the use of a thin, flexible instrument called a laparoscope; it has a small camera affixed to its tip. The camera is used to transmit video images of the biliary tract to a monitor watched by the surgeon. The most significant advantage of this approach is that it precludes the long incision and invasive process associated with open surgery. This means your recovery time is shorter, and you can be released from the hospital sooner to return home.

Another advantage of treating Yaz gallbladder disease laparoscopically is that there are fewer complications involved than with open surgery. That said, mistakes made by the surgeon can be life-threatening (we’ll address them below).

Advantages Of Open Cholecystectomy

Even though laparoscopy has replaced open cholecystectomy in most hospitals and surgical centers, many surgeons prefer the latter approach. One reason is because it requires less time. The more time that passes while the patient is undergoing surgery, the greater the likelihood of complications.

A second reason is because is gives them better visualization of the patient’s biliary tract. While the laparoscope’s camera transmits clear video images, the frame of the images is limited by the positioning of the instrument’s tip. Many surgeons are unaccustomed to operating in this manner. This is one of the reasons bile duct injuries are much more common with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The downside of treating Yaz gallbladder injury with open surgery is that doing so poses a higher risk of bleeding and infection. Moreover, because the procedure is more invasive, there is more postoperative pain, and the recovery period is longer.

When Conversion To Open Surgery Is Necessary

Gallbladder removal surgery normally begins with laparoscopy (for the reasons described earlier). There are circumstances, however, that force surgeons to abandon this approach, and convert to an open procedure. For example, bleeding or infection may be present within the biliary tract; either case might occur when the patient has recently undergone abdominal surgery.

Conversion is also necessary if there are perforations present, or tissue death (necrosis) has begun. If gallstones are identified within the bile duct, and they cannot be retrieved with endoscopic sphincterotomy, your surgeon may decide to convert to open surgery to retrieve them. A thickened gall bladder may also force conversion.

Complications Of Laparoscopic Surgery When Treating Yaz Gallbladder Problems

The limited visualization associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy presents serious risks. First, the surgeon may accidentally nick or pierce the common bile duct while severing connections attached to the gall bladder. Such injuries allow bile fluid to leak from the duct into the abdominal cavity.

Second, the surgeon may sever the wrong duct. The cystic duct is directly connected to the gall bladder, and thus must be severed prior to the organ’s removal. If the surgeon is unfamiliar with the biliary tree, or is working with poor visualization, the common bile duct may be severed instead. This, too, allows bile to spill into the abdominal cavity. It also removes the only route bile can travel from the liver to the small intestine.

If gallbladder disease presents, it must be treated. Otherwise, it can eventually lead to perforations, fistulas, infection, and other dangerous conditions. If you have suffered from gallstones, gall bladder disease, or other Yaz side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder lawyer to discuss your options.

Yaz gallbladder disease symptoms involving gallstones can cause many serious biliary problems, some of which may become life-threatening if they are left untreated. Most stones are silent (i.e. they are absent of symptoms), and can remain so for years. But they can suddenly become symptomatic, causing excruciating abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The pain typically subsides after several hours. While it is strong enough to encourage most people to visit the emergency room, some choose otherwise. They allow the pain to subside, believing the underlying problem has resolved itself. This can lead to serious medical consequences. Depending on where the stones are located within the biliary tract, they can cause chronic inflammation, infection, and worse.

Gallbladder Irritation, Inflammation, And Infection

Normally, Yaz gallstones will linger within the gallbladder, and stay a safe distance from the organ’s opening. As long as the opening remains unobstructed, bile fluid can enter and exit without issue. When stones move toward the opening, however, they can block it, and prevent bile from leaving.

Your gall bladder concentrates bile fluid for use in the digestion of fats that arrive in your small intestine. Concentrated bile that remains within the organ for an extended period grows stale. It irritates the inner lining of the gallbladder, and causes inflammation, which in turn triggers the symptoms mentioned earlier. This is known as acute cholecystitis.

Bacteria eventually colonizes the inflamed gallbladder. If the condition is left unresolved, this colonization will result in infection. With time, the lining of the organ will deteriorate, leading to perforations, abscesses, and in rare cases, gangrene.

Infection Of The Common Bile Duct

Thus far, we’ve discussed Yaz gallbladder problems involving gallstones in the context of their remaining inside the gall bladder. They can leave the organ, and migrate into the common bile duct, the tube through which bile fluid flows to the small intestine. A blockage in this duct sets the stage for infection.

Bile duct stones – a condition known as choledocholithiasis – cause many of the same symptoms as before (i.e. abdominal pain, nausea, etc.). They can also cause jaundice, fever, and an abnormal heart rhythm. These stones prevent bile from flowing to the small intestine, causing the fluid to back up to the gallbladder and upper portion of your biliary tree. When this occurs, bacteria ascends the common bile duct from the duodenum (top portion of the small intestine). It gains access through a muscular valve called the sphincter of Oddi.

Bacteria is usually present within the duct, though its spread is controlled by the flow of bile. A blockage allows bacteria to colonize the duct, which eventually causes infection. The condition is known as cholangitis.

Unless cholangitis is treated (typically, with antibiotics or endoscopic sphincterotomy), the infection will continue to spread upward through the biliary tract. If it reaches your liver, it can cause liver damage. If bacteria enters your bloodstream, it will spread throughout your body, and lead to sepsis.

Inflammation Of The Pancreas

As the common bile duct descends toward the small intestine, it merges with the pancreatic duct. This latter tube delivers pancreatic secretions, including digestive enzymes, to the duodenum. The enzymes are controlled by inhibitors, which prevent them from becoming active en route through the duct. If Yaz gallbladder injury caused by gallstones block the passage of these enzymes, they will overwhelm the inhibitors, and become active.

Trapped within the duct, the activated enzymes will start to digest the tissue of the pancreas. This condition is known as pancreatitis. It leads to acute inflammation, and in advanced stages, tissue death. If significant portions of your pancreas sustain damage, the digestive enzymes may gain access to your bloodstream. This can lead to organ damage throughout your body; kidney failure, heart failure, and a marked drop in blood pressure become imminent.

If you have suffered from gallstones, gallbladder disease, or other serious Yaz gallbladder side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit gallbladder attorney to discuss your options.

Yaz gallbladder problems (known as cholecystitis) is defined by acute inflammation of the organ’s inner lining. In most cases, the inflammation is caused by gallstones that obstruct the opening of the gall bladder, or cause a blockage in the cystic duct. Bile is thus prevented from exiting the organ. Please contact us for the latest Yaz lawsuit gallbladder update.

This leads to two circumstances. First, the gall bladder becomes distended from the buildup of fluid. Second, due to limited drainage, the organ’s inner wall suffers prolonged exposure to concentrated bile fluid. The resulting inflammation triggers sharp pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, and may be accompanied by fever, nausea, and vomiting.

In addition to the immediate side effects of gallstones and gallbladder disease, other serious conditions may develop. Some of them, if left untreated, can eventually become life-threatening.

Cholangitis

Cholangitis is an infection of the common bile duct. The most common cause is an obstruction in the duct that prevents bile from flowing freely. This encourages colonization of bacteria, which eventually leads to infection throughout the biliary tree.

Under normal circumstances, bacteria can be found throughout the biliary tract. Not only is it present in bile fluid, but it also enters the duct from the duodenum (gaining access through the Sphincter of Oddi) and climbs upward. When the bile duct is unobstructed, bacterial colonization is limited, and thus infection is prevented. However, Yaz gallbladder side effects involving gallstones that create a blockage may allow bacteria to overwhelm the body’s antibacterial safeguards. Infection becomes much more likely.

Perforation

It is estimated that one in ten cases of gall bladder disease results in perforation of the organ. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal.

Inflammation of the gallbladder’s lining causes the wall to weaken. Eventually, it erodes to the point a perforation develops through which small gallstones and concentrated bile leak into the abdominal cavity. This allows infection to set in.

If a perforation expands, it may allow large gallstones to pass into the small intestine. This can lead to an intestinal blockage, a dangerous condition known as a gallstone ileus.

Peritonitis

The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. When stones or bile fluid leak into the cavity – as may occur through a localized perforation – and cause infection, this lining becomes inflamed. This inflammation is known as peritonitis. It may be accompanied by persistent nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fever.

Surgery is usually necessary to retrieve Yaz gallstones that may have passed from the gallbladder into the abdominal cavity. Bile leakages are normally addressed with drainage.

Pancreatitis

The common bile duct merges with the pancreatic duct in the lower portion of the biliary tree. Digestive enzymes are secreted by the pancreas and flow through the latter duct on their way to the duodenum. Bile duct stones can migrate past the juncture where the two ducts merge, and create an obstruction. This not only prevents bile from flowing into the duodenum, but also prevents pancreatic secretions from doing so.

The digestive enzymes travel in an inactive state. Trapped in the duct, however, they can become activated and begin to digest the cells of the pancreas. This is known as gallstone pancreatitis. It can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Gangrene

One of the most serious complications of Yaz gallbladder disease is gangrene – or tissue death. This is due to severe inflammation and infection, and only occurs in cases where acute cholecystitis is neglected for long periods. Though the condition is rare, it can be fatal.

Yaz gallbladder problems, when untreated, can extend further than abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Symptomatic stones and inflammation can lead to infection and other dangerous circumstances. If you or someone you know has suffered gallbladder disease or gallstones after using this birth control, find out about your legal rights. Contact one of our Yaz lawsuit lawyers to discuss your options.

Women have suffered gallbladder problems as a result of Yaz birth control and gallstones. The stones form due to excess cholesterol secreted by the liver and insufficient gall bladder motility. Both circumstances are believed to be caused by estrogen and drospirenone, the hormones released by Yaz into a woman’s body. Please contact us for the latest Yaz lawsuit gallbladder settlement news and information.

The excess cholesterol travels with bile fluid into the gallbladder, where it is stored and concentrated. Normally, it is absorbed into the wall of the organ. Because the level is elevated, however, the cholesterol cannot be completely absorbed. Instead, solid crystals form, accumulate, and eventually, turn into gallstones.

How Gallstones Are Normally Treated

When stones become symptomatic, they cause abdominal pain and nausea. These are symptoms commonly associated with Yaz gallbladder disease, a condition marked by inflammation of the organ’s inner wall. For treatment, doctors normally recommend a procedure called cholecystectomy. This is the surgical removal of the gall bladder.

While cholecystectomy can be done laparoscopically, the procedure still poses serious risks (e.g. bile duct injury, infection, etc.). When surgery is undesirable or otherwise contraindicated due to other medical issues, nonsurgical approaches can be used.

Measures To Reduce Gallbladder Inflammation

If infection is absent, mild cases of gall bladder inflammation (known as acute cholecystitis) can be addressed with painkillers and drug therapy. Painkillers are usually given intravenously while other medications may be given orally or by injection. With the exception of drugs used for gallstone dissolution therapy (described below), this approach only reduces the severity of the organ’s inflammation. It does not address the underlying cause: gallstones.

If inflammation from cholecystitis is severe, more potent medications may be used. These may include meperidine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ketorolac. If infection is present, antibiotics are also administered.

Removing Gallstones From The Bile Duct

Bile duct stones are dangerous because they can cause serious complications in the biliary tree. These complications include acute pancreatitis, infection in the bile duct (cholangitis), and if infection spreads, liver and kidney damage. Thus, when bile duct stones are detected, it is important they are retrieved.

In the past, open surgery was necessary to remove the stones. This approach has largely been replaced with a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). While technically considered a surgical operation, it is done through oral insertion of an endoscope rather than abdominal incisions. ERCP is combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy to retrieve stones through the sphincter of Oddi.

Oral And Contact Dissolution Therapies

Dissolution therapies are less common today than in the past due to widespread use of laparoscopic gall bladder surgery. When surgery cannot be performed, however, such therapies offer an alternative form of treatment. There are two methods: oral and contact dissolution. Both seek to break apart and dissolve cholesterol stones.

Oral dissolution therapy is delivered in pill form through bile acid drugs, such as ursodiol and chenodiol. They often take months, even years, to fully dissolve stones. For this reason, treatment may potentially cost thousands of dollars. One of the downsides to using these medications is that stones usually recur.

Contact dissolution therapy is delivered through injection directly into the gall bladder. A flammable chemical known as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is administered to dissolve the Yaz gallstones. The advantage of this approach is that it is quick. Stones can be fully dissolved within a few days. The drawback is that you may experience severe pain while receiving the therapy.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

This form of treatment is seldom used. Once stones are located in your biliary tract, ultrasound shock pulses are used to fragment them. This is done externally through the abdominal wall. The fragmented stones are usually small enough to pass through the bile duct and into the small intestine. One of the drawbacks of ESWL is that pain and other complications often present weeks after the treatment. Also, stones recur in a large percentage of patients.

Symptomatic gallstones are dangerous because they can lead to secondary problems throughout your biliary tract. If you have suffered from stones or other Yaz gallbladder problems, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Yaz gallbladder settlement attorney to discuss your options.

One of the most common reasons for gallbladder removal surgery is the presence of symptomatic gallstones. Once stones form, they can cause inflammation of the gall bladder’s lining. This triggers sharp abdominal pain, severe bouts of nausea, and in some cases, jaundice. Contact us for the latest news regarding Yaz gallbladder class action type litigation. Cases are currently consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL).

Yaz and gallstones expose millions of women to the risk of suffering these symptoms. The hormones in this fourth-generation oral contraceptive are believed to contribute to the formation of stones. This, in itself, presents problems that require medical attention. But if the stones exit the gall bladder and move into the common bile duct, they can cause even more serious side effects. One of them is known as acute pancreatitis, a condition that can be life-threatening.

Yaz And Gallstones In The Common Bile Duct

Many stones remain within the gallbladder. Others migrate into the cystic duct and further down the common bile duct. Depending on their size, number, and whether the duct is narrowed, these stones can become lodged and block the passage of bile. This sets the stage for infection.

It is not uncommon for bacteria to enter the biliary tree through the Sphincter of Oddi. This is a valve near the bottom of the common bile duct that opens into the duodenum, the top section of your small intestine. When bile is allowed to flow unhindered through the duct, the bacteria rarely poses a problem. When the duct becomes blocked, however, bacteria may continue to climb toward your liver. This can lead to infection. While antibiotics are usually sufficient for controlling its spread, it can occasionally cause liver and kidney damage.

The Effects Of Blocking Pancreatic Secretions

The lower portion of your common bile duct merges with the pancreatic duct. This latter tube carries fluid secreted by your pancreas to your small intestine. This fluid contains digestive enzymes, which remain in an inactive state while traveling toward the duodenum. It also contains inhibitors to prevent the enzymes from becoming activated during the majority of this migration.

Yaz problems involving gallstones that have moved into the common bile duct can travel past the point where the tube merges with the pancreatic duct. If these stones become lodged between this juncture and the Sphincter of Oddi, they will block the fluid secreted by the pancreas. This causes the digestive enzymes and inhibitors to become trapped throughout the pancreatic duct.

If the stones are removed, or they pass into the small intestine, the trapped fluid will continue its journey to the duodenum. However, if they block the passage for a prolonged period, the digestive enzymes will eventually overwhelm the inhibitors. They will become activated.

In an active state, the trapped enzymes turn on the pancreas and begin to digest its cells. This causes acute inflammation of the organ, known as pancreatitis. The inflammation triggers intense upper abdominal pain that often spreads to the back, reaching its peak intensity within minutes. Hospitalization is necessary.

If pancreatitis is not treated quickly, the enzymes – as well as other toxins – can enter your bloodstream. This can lead to systemic infection, which may cause organ damage elsewhere in your body. In severe cases, portions of your pancreas may die, leading to a drop in blood pressure and other life-threatening circumstances.

Treatment For Acute Pancreatitis

Recall that symptomatic stones in the gallbladder are usually resolved by surgically removing the organ. With bile duct stones, including those that have caused pancreatitis, this approach is insufficient. An alternative approach is necessary.

After your immediate symptoms have been brought under control, your doctor will perform a procedure known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). An endoscope is inserted through your mouth and guided toward your small intestine. Once the instrument is positioned near the Sphincter of Oddi, a catheter is passed through it. Your doctor will inject a contrast dye into your common bile duct to visualize the offending gallstones.

Once your doctor has identified the locations of the stones, another instrument is passed through the endoscope. Its purpose is to make a small cut into the Sphincter of Oddi. By doing so, your doctor can widen the opening, retrieve the stones, and thus clear the passage.

Acute pancreatitis caused by stones is a medical emergency that can be potentially fatal. If you have suffered gallstones, gallbladder disease, or related Yaz gallbladder side effects, learn about your legal rights. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder lawyer to discuss your options.

Coping With Postcholecystectomy Syndrome Following Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery

One of the potential side effects of Yaz and gallstones is gallbladder disease. The gallbladder becomes inflamed due to bile fluid that is trapped inside the organ. Stones that develop within the gall bladder sometimes block the opening that leads to the cystic duct. Other times, they migrate into the cystic duct and form an obstruction. In both cases, bile becomes trapped, causing inflammation of the organ’s inner wall.

If this occurs, you will likely experience intense pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen; the pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The most common form of treatment for gallstones (when the stones have become symptomatic) is to surgically remove the gall bladder. The procedure is called cholecystectomy. While it is usually successful, it often causes a condition known as postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS).

What Happens After Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery?

To understand how PCS occurs, it is important to understand the function of your biliary tract following the gall bladder’s removal. Prior to cholecystectomy, bile is secreted by your liver and flows into your gall bladder, where it is stored and concentrated until it is needed. When food arrives in your small intestine, the gallbladder contracts, pushing bile into the common bile duct. It flows through the duct and into your duodenum to help digest fats.

Following cholecystectomy, bile fluid cannot be stored or concentrated. Instead, it flows continually from the liver through the common bile duct to the duodenum. In addition to the digestive issues this may cause, continuous exposure of the duct to bile fluid is believed to contribute to symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome.

Common Symptoms Of Postcholecystectomy Syndrome

It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of patients who undergo gallbladder removal surgery experience symptoms attributed to PCS. These symptoms vary by patient and are often reminiscent of gallbladder disease. They include chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Intestinal gas and diarrhea are also common, though these symptoms may be due to the constant presence of bile in the small intestine. Less common, jaundice and fever may present.

It is important to underscore that postcholecystectomy syndrome is considered a preliminary diagnosis. Doctors will normally revise their diagnosis when their findings reveal the underlying disease or disorder. Unfortunately, this can prove problematic.

While the root cause of the condition is identifiable in nearly all cases, there are many potential catalysts that must be ruled out. These catalysts may be caused – directly or indirectly – or exacerbated by the removal of the gallbladder. They include irritable bowel syndrome, adhesions created during surgery, missed bile duct stones, bile leaks, and many other factors.

Treating PCS After Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Treatment of postcholecystectomy syndrome is based on diagnosing a particular root cause. Your doctor will likely use ultrasound to study your liver, biliary tree, and the surrounding structures. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and CT scans may reveal abnormalities that help create a final diagnosis of the underlying cause. If, because of its invasive nature, ERCP cannot be used, your doctor may proceed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to image the biliary tract.

Once the root cause of PCS has been identified, a treatment plan can be started. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment might include medications, surgery (e.g. for Yaz gallstones in the bile duct), or both.

After symptoms related to PCS have been treated, they are unlikely to recur. One notable exception is diarrhea. It is possible that you will continue to experience it due to the altered flow of bile as it travels from your liver into your duodenum. This can usually be resolved by making changes to your diet.

It’s worth noting that gallstones are usually asymptomatic. When symptoms present, however, most doctors will recommend gallbladder removal surgery. Postcholecystectomy syndrome is a common outcome. If you have suffered gallstones, gallbladder disease, or PCS after using Yaz birth control, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder settlement attorney to discuss your options.

Yaz and gallstones do not always cause symptoms. Most stones are “silent” and can remain so for many years. However, they often become symptomatic after lying dormant, and cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and occasionally, jaundice. The pain reaches its peak intensity within a few minutes and can last for hours. Even though it subsides, there will likely be recurring episodes. Please contact us for the latest Yaz gallbladder settlement news and information.

These symptoms are typical of Yaz gallbladder disease. They are usually sufficient for motivating people to visit the hospital for treatment. Prior to addressing the underlying cause, however, your doctor will need to verify whether stones were the catalyst. The first step to forming a diagnosis is to rule out other conditions that might be causing your abdominal pain.

Unrelated Conditions That May Present Similar Symptoms

Because gallstones are usually asymptomatic, treatment for gallbladder disease before ruling out other causes is premature. It also risks neglecting dangerous conditions. For example, pancreatitis often causes severe pain near the biliary tract. Treatment for the disorder is different than that for gallstones, so forming an accurate diagnosis is critical. Also, because stones in the lower bile duct can cause pancreatitis, diagnosing the latter condition does not necessarily preclude the former.

Irritable bowel syndrome can also present pain that is similar to Yaz gallbladder disease. This is usually due to an inability to digest fats. One notable difference is that pain from IBS is typically felt lower within the abdominal region than pain caused by stones.

Other conditions, such as kidney stones, appendicitis, and even gastroesophageal reflux, may also cause symptoms comparable to stones. However, these conditions are more easily distinguished from stones than pancreatitis or IBS.

Blood Tests

The presence of stones, whether inside your gall bladder or elsewhere in your biliary tree, causes an elevation of certain agents in your blood. For example, inflammation of your gallbladder is normally accompanied by an increased level of bilirubin. This is a pigment that is secreted by your liver into bile fluid.

Raised levels of certain enzymes produced in the liver may suggest the presence of stones that have migrated into the common bile duct. Thus, tests for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are often ordered.

X-Rays And Ultrasound

X-rays can be taken of your abdomen to help identify gallstones inside the gallbladder or along the bile ducts. A contrast dye is introduced to produce a clearer picture of your biliary tree. The contrast can be delivered through several (usually six) iodine tablets that are swallowed the night prior to the x-rays being taken. Otherwise, the dye can be delivered by injection on the day of the test. This is known as cholangiography.

The dye is radiopaque; it blocks radiation. Thus, as it flows through your biliary tract, it shows up prominently on x-rays. Your doctor will examine the dye’s flow to identify restrictions that suggest stones are present.

Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that can accurately identify gallstones that are 2 millimeters in diameter or larger. However, the test is mostly reserved for stones that are suspected within the gall bladder. It is far less accurate for diagnosing bile duct stones.

Cholescintigraphy

Also known as a HIDA scan, cholescintigraphy in a diagnostic imaging test that is mostly used to examine the entry to the gall bladder. A radioactive contrast material is introduced by injection. The material is absorbed and secreted by your liver, after which it flows through the cystic duct into your gallbladder. A special camera is used to take images of the contrast’s flow as it enters and leaves the organ. Restrictions suggest gallstones.

During cholescintigraphy, a chemical that mimics the hormone cholecystokinin can be injected to stimulate contractions in the gall bladder. This chemical causes the organ to push bile fluid and the contrast material into the bile duct. If the contrast does not display during these contractions, it suggests stones are either blocking the organ’s opening or the cystic duct.

The diagnostic techniques described above are mostly used to identify stones inside the gallbladder. They are less accurate for diagnosing gallstones that have exited the organ and traveled into the common bile duct.

If you or someone you know has suffered gallstones, gall bladder disease, or other Yaz gallbladder problems, find out about your legal rights. You may be able to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder lawyer to discuss your options.

Yaz and gallstones can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed if the stones prevent bile from leaving the organ. This inflammation causes sharp pain in the abdominal region, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are usually sufficient to send people to the hospital. If you have suffered from side effects please contact us for the latest Yaz birth control lawsuit gallbladder news and updates.

The most common method for treating Yaz gallbladder problems is to have the organ surgically removed. This is done with a procedure called cholecystectomy. It can be accomplished laparoscopically or through open surgery. Unfortunately, many patients are unable to tolerate the anesthesia, or they suffer from other medical conditions that make surgery too risky. For them, an alternative form of treatment is necessary.

The approach taken by your doctor will depend on several factors. He or she will consider the location of the gallstones, your symptoms, and the risks associated with leaving your gallbladder intact.

Painkillers And Antibiotics

If stones are symptomatic, yet there is no infection within your gall bladder or throughout your biliary tract, your doctor may simply prescribe pain relievers. These will have no effect on existing gallstones, but will reduce your discomfort. If infection is detected, antibiotics are introduced through intravenous therapy. This may also be done as a preventative measure against infection if your condition does not improve after twenty-four hours.

Dissolving Gallstones With Drug Therapy

Stones can be dissolved with medications that are given orally or administered through injection. Oral dissolution therapy uses medications containing bile acids. The most common drugs used for this type of treatment are ursodiol and chenodiol, both of which are given in pill form. Treatment with these medications may last for years.

The alternative to taking bile acid pills is to have a drug known as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) injected directly into your gall bladder. This is called contact dissolution therapy. The chemical can dissolve gallstones within a few days, but treatment is usually accompanied by severe pain. Also, because MTBE is flammable and potentially toxic, it must be administered by an experienced physician.

Even though both forms of dissolution therapy can be effective, the recurrence rate for stones is high. As many as half of the patients who undergo this type of treatment experience gallstones in the future.

Shattering The Stones With Shock Waves

Patients who cannot tolerate surgery and prefer to avoid dissolution therapy can choose to have the stones shattered. This is done through a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The patient sits in a tub filled with water as ultrasound shock waves are used to break apart the stones. The resulting pieces are usually small enough to travel down your bile duct, eventually spilling into your small intestine.

This method is rarely done today because laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered more effective. Moreover, ESWL can only be used to shatter stones that are relatively small (i.e. those with a diameter less than two centimeters).

Draining The Gallbladder Through Percutaneous Cholecystostomy

If you suffer from severe Yaz gallbladder disease and are unable to tolerate surgery, your doctor may perform a percutaneous cholecystostomy. A catheter is inserted directly into your gall bladder and used to drain fluid. This reduces inflammation, but will not remove existing stones. Doctors will address the stones by performing a cholecystectomy – open or laparoscopically – when you are able to tolerate the procedure. Otherwise, there is a high likelihood the gallstones will cause inflammation down the road.

Many healthy women have experienced Yaz gallbladder problems due to gallstones. These problems typically result in the surgical removal of the organ. If you have suffered similar disorders after using this birth control pill, contact a Yaz birth control lawsuit gallbladder lawyer. You may have the right to file a claim for compensation for your injuries.

The most common treatment path for resolving Yaz gallbladder disease is a procedure known as cholecystectomy. This is an operation during which your gall bladder is removed. Contact us for the latest news regarding Yaz class action lawsuit gallbladder type litigation. Cases are currently consolidated into a multi-district litigation (mdl). It used to be performed exclusively through open abdominal surgery, but that approach has largely been replaced with a less invasive technique known as laparoscopy. This latter approach poses fewer complications, less postoperative discomfort, and a shorter recovery time than open surgery. But there remain serious risks.

Below, you’ll learn about the complications that can occur during Yaz gallbladder removal surgery. These include bile duct injury, bile leakage, damage to the small intestine, and internal bleeding.

Common Bile Duct Injury

Unless infection or scar tissue is present, cholecystectomies are performed laparoscopically. Unfortunately, a laparoscope offers the surgeon a limited view of the surrounding structures. While severing the gall bladder’s connections, the surgeon may inadvertently tear the common bile duct.

Bile duct injury poses a few problems. First, this duct is the passageway through which bile flows from your gallbladder into the duodenum (i.e. the top portion of your small intestine). Bile is necessary for the digestion of fats. A tear in the duct interrupts its flow and thereby, impedes digestion.

Second, bile duct damage can cause a narrowing of the duct (called a stricture), which hampers the flow of bile. This narrowing can cause bile fluid to back up within the biliary tree. The stricture must be corrected with subsequent surgery in order to prevent damage to the liver.

Third, injuries to the duct that involve tears can allow bile fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity. This problem can become life-threatening if it is left unresolved.

Bile Leakage Into The Abdominal Cavity

Bile leakages cause infection, which can become systemic if it gains access to your bloodstream. Even if the infection remains localized, you will likely experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor will initially administer antibiotics to control the infection. If these medications prove unsuccessful, open abdominal surgery is usually necessary.

Injury To The Small Intestine

Though it is rare, the small intestine can sustain damage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Depending on the severity of the injury and whether the surgeon realizes it has occurred, the damage can be fatal. Injury to the small intestine during gallbladder removal surgery is what caused the untimely demise of Pennsylvania congressman John Murtha in early 2010.

With Yaz gallbladder problems, the organ becomes inflamed. It reddens and swells, which obfuscates the demarcations of the surrounding tissues. While severing the gall bladder’s connections, the surgeon may accidentally cause a perforation in the small intestine. This allows stools to seep into the abdominal cavity, resulting in infection and eventually, sepsis.

Internal Bleeding

An internal hemorrhage can occur if the surgeon performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy makes a mistake during the operation. This is not uncommon due to the reasons mentioned earlier (i.e. limited view, obscured tissue demarcations, etc.). Usually, bleeding is immediately obvious to the surgeon, who can take steps to resolve the problem. If the hemorrhage goes unnoticed, it can become life-threatening.

Of all complications that occur during gallbladder removal surgery, bile duct injury remains the most common. As recently as a few years ago, such injuries were more common during laparoscopy than open cholecystectomy. This disparity has narrowed. Surgeons are more skilled today and often use cholangiography (biliary tree imaging) to gain a better view of nearby structures.

For most women who suffer from a Yaz gallbladder injury, cholecystectomy is the default treatment path. Unfortunately, as described above, gallbladder removal surgery is not without risks. If you have suffered gallstones or other gall bladder problems after using this birth control, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder settlement attorney to discuss your options.

Yaz and gallstones can cause a number of health problems associated with the biliary tract. Women who are taking this birth control pill are exposed to gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis, and infection of the common bile duct (among other problems). This latter condition is called cholangitis. If it is allowed to persist, it can lead to serious consequences, including liver damage and infection elsewhere in your body. Please contact us for the latest Yaz gallbladder lawsuit 2010 news and information.

How Bile Duct Infection Occurs And Spreads

Yaz contains estrogen and a progestin called drospirenone. Together, these hormones are believed to increase the level of cholesterol secreted by the liver and reduce the contraction activity of the gallbladder. Both circumstances may increase the likelihood that Yaz gallbladder problems will occur.

Most stones form inside the gall bladder, though they can occasionally form in the bile duct (known as primary stones). In the former case, they can migrate outside the organ and into the cystic duct, creating a blockage near the entry to the gallbladder. Some migrate further down the biliary tract.

Normally, bacteria colonizes the bile duct, having first originated in the duodenum (i.e. upper portion of your small intestine). When the flow of bile fluid is unhindered, infection is rare since it is prevented by your body’s antibacterial defenses. However, when stones block the passage of bile in the duct, these defenses become compromised. Colonization of bacteria increases within the duct, eventually causing infection.

The onset of infection in the bile duct is merely the beginning of a developing problem. If neglected, the bacteria will ascend the duct toward the liver and gallbladder. Called ascending cholangitis, bacteria climbs through the hepatic duct and causes infection in the liver. The condition is considered a medical emergency; it is potentially fatal if the infection is left unresolved.

Common Symptoms And Prognosis Of Cholangitis

When infection first presents, symptoms are similar to those of Yaz gallbladder disease. You will experience sharp pain in the upper right region of your abdomen as well as fever and nausea. Many patients also experience jaundice.

These symptoms require hospitalization. Doctors will try to control the bile duct infection by administering antibiotics. It is important to note, however, that antibiotics will not resolve the condition’s root cause – in this case, gallstones within the bile duct.

By the time bacterial colonization reaches the hepatic duct and liver, infection may have spread through the bloodstream to other areas in your body. At this advanced stage, you may experience multiple organ failure, sepsis, and shock. Severe cases of acute cholangitis can lead to heart failure and death.

Draining The Bile Duct And Retrieving Stones

Drainage of the bile duct is a necessary step to help control the infection. In the past, this was performed through surgery. Today, endoscopic or percutaneous drainage is preferred since both methods are less invasive, and thus pose less risk of complications. On rare occasions, a nasobiliary drain may be installed to drain bile through the nose.

If gallstones are suspected as the root cause of cholangitis, the stones must be retrieved. This is usually done with a procedure known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A thin instrument called an endoscope is passed down the throat and directed through the stomach to the duodenum. A catheter is then passed through the endoscope to release a radiopaque dye into the bile duct. X-rays are taken of the duct to display the flow of the dye and help your doctor identify blockages caused by gallstones.

Next, a procedure known as endoscopic sphincterotomy is done to retrieve the stones. The sphincter of Oddi is cut to widen the opening from the duct into the duodenum. This improves the flow of bile and allows your doctor to remove the obstructing stones.

Cholangitis is one of the more serious Yaz side effects. As noted, it can be life-threatening. If you have suffered Yaz gallbladder problems, including gallbladder disease or gallstones, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder lawyer to discuss your case.