HPB stands for Hepato‑Pancreato‑Biliary. An HPB clinic specialises in diagnosing and treating medical and surgical conditions of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
You may be referred to an HPB clinic in Singapore for conditions like benign cysts in the liver to pancreatic tumours and gallstones that cause serious blockages. The specialists you can typically expect to find in the facility are HPB surgeons, specialist nurses and radiologists.
HPB surgeons help with complex operations like laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove your gallbladder safely. Specialist nurses help with supporting pre‑ and post‑operative care, teaching you how to manage symptoms and medications.
Radiologists perform and interpret imaging scans to guide your surgeon’s decisions. On this page we answer the commonly asked question; should you visit an HPB clinic for gallstones? Keep reading!
What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in your gallbladder from cholesterol, bilirubin or calcium salts. When bile contains too much cholesterol, it can crystallise into stones.
Many people live with silent gallstones that never cause pain or complications. These stones are often discovered incidentally during scans for other issues.
Symptomatic stones, however, tend to trigger a sudden, sharp pain in your upper right abdomen. With these stones, you may feel bloated, nauseous or have indigestion after eating fatty foods.
Pain can last from a few minutes to several hours and may radiate to your back or right shoulder. So, not all gallstones cause problems.
However, there are some that may need specialist help. For example, you may want to visit an HPB clinic in Singapore if you have stones that block your bile ducts.
Specialised treatment is warranted in such cases because these stones increase you risk infection (cholangitis) or inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). You can start with your GP if you have mild or first‑time gallstone symptoms.
During the appointment, your doctor will take your history, examine you and may order an abdominal ultrasound or blood tests for liver function. If results show simple gallstones without complications, your GP can advise dietary changes, pain relief and watchful waiting. Referral to an HPB clinic in Singapore for gallstones may be warranted when you:
- Get Recurrent Gallstone Attacks: If you suffer multiple painful episodes over weeks or months, you risk gallbladder inflammation or infection. An HPB specialist can assess your overall risk and recommend timely removal of your gallbladder before things worsen.
- Have Signs of Infection (Cholangitis): Fever, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) and severe belly pain suggest a bile duct infection. Cholangitis can rapidly become life‑threatening without expert care. An HPB clinic can offer urgent endoscopic or surgical drainage to clear the infection and stones.
- Complications Like Pancreatitis: When gallstones block the pancreatic duct, enzymes back up into your pancreas and cause inflammation. Pancreatitis brings intense pain, nausea and risk of long‑term damage. HPB specialists manage both the inflammation and the underlying stone issue which can reduce the chance of recurrence.
- Need for Surgery: If non‑surgical measures fail or imaging shows large, multiple or complicated stones, only an HPB surgeon can perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This minimally invasive procedure removes your gallbladder safely, usually as a day surgery or short stay.
What Happens at an HPB Clinic?
An appointment to a specialist facility like an HPB clinic in Singapore may feel a little tense especially if this is your first time and you basically have no idea what to expect. The entire process is quite simple though.
When you visit an HPB clinic in Singapore for gallstones, you should expect a structured process tailored to your needs. Basically, your appointment will start with a consultation where the specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history.
You will be asked detailed questions about the nature of your pain, any fever or jaundice and how often attacks happen. Your doctor will also ask about other health issues to ensure you are fit for any tests or surgery. If needed, the specialist at your HPB clinic in Singapore may recommend tests like;
- Liver Function Test (LFT): This blood test measures enzymes and bilirubin, showing how well your liver and bile ducts work. Abnormal results can indicate blocked ducts or bile leakage. LFTs help your HPB specialist confirm whether stones are affecting your liver function.
- Abdominal Ultrasound or CT Scan: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your gallbladder and bile ducts. It detects stones, blockages and gallbladder wall thickening. A CT scan provides a more detailed view, which can be useful when ultrasound results are unclear or complications like abscesses are suspected.
- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): MRCP is a special MRI that maps your bile and pancreatic ducts without injecting dye. It pinpoints stones lodged in the ducts and assesses their size and position. This non‑invasive test gives your HPB surgeon a clear picture before planning treatment.
If tests confirm complicated gallstones or you have recurrent attacks, your specialist will discuss treatment options. For many patients, the recommended route is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Your surgeon will explain the steps, risks and recovery plan in simple terms. Not every case needs surgery right away.
Depending on your own unique situation, you may need monitoring, dietary advice and pain management while waiting for elective surgery. You may also be recommended antibiotics or endoscopic stone removal first.
Closing Thoughts
The best part about visiting an HPB clinic in Singapore for gallstones is that you get quicker access to surgical options when needed. You also lower the risk of delayed diagnosis for serious conditions as the facilities can effectively screen for rare but dangerous issues like gallbladder cancer or bile duct strictures.
But generally speaking, if your gallstones cause only mild or occasional discomfort, starting with a GP makes sense. However, you should consider visiting an HPB clinic in Singapore for gallstones if you notice unsettling developments. Specialist care speeds up diagnosis, offers safer surgical options and reduces risks of serious complications.
We understand how debilitating it can be dealing with gallstones which is why we offer specialised care for all cases. Get in touch with our team today for careful assessment and tailored care for your unique case. See details below;