The primary role of the gallbladder is to store bile, which is produced and secreted continuously by the liver, until the bile is needed to aid in digestion. Cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. It may also be caused by trauma or previous surgeries. Although relatively uncommon, gallstones and acute cholecystitis may occur in infants and children. Ninety percent of cholecystitis cases resolve spontaneously.
Pain management is an important aspect of care for gallbladder disorders.
Nonsurgical treatment may consist of placement of a tube in the stomach to decompress the pressure in the abdomen as well as replacement of fluids and electrolytes through an intravenous line. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 1999 Hyperbaric oxygenation as adjuvant therapy to surgery of emphysematous cholecystitis. 1999 Gangrenous cholecystitis in the laparoscopic era.