Yashoda Medicity surgeons remove 2,000 gallstones from 83-year-old patient in rare laparoscopic procedure

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 6 : Yashoda Medicity successfully performed a rare laparoscopic surgery on an 83-year-old male patient, removing nearly 2,000 gallstones from his gallbladder.
The technically demanding procedure for Calculous Cholecystitis was led by Dr Pradeep K Dewan, Vice Chairman & Head, Institute of Minimal Access, Robotic & Bariatric Surgery at Yashoda Medicity, demonstrating the hospital's expertise in managing complex surgical cases through advanced minimally invasive techniques, even in elderly patients with multiple medical complexities.
The patient, an 83-year-old advocate from Bulandshahr, had been experiencing upper abdominal pain radiating to his back, along with retrosternal discomfort, for nearly six years. Initially, he ignored the symptoms, delaying medical consultation. Over time, the pain became more frequent and severe, prompting him to seek expert evaluation at Yashoda Medicity.
Detailed investigations revealed that his gallbladder was completely packed with gallstones and had developed a thickened wall due to long-standing disease. The stones, ranging in size from tiny mustard seeds to those the size of chickpeas, weighed approximately 150-200 grams in total.
The presence of nearly 2,000 gallstones--an exceptionally rare finding in clinical practice--made the procedure highly challenging. Despite the technical complexity, the surgical team completed the intricate 90-minute minimally invasive procedure, enabling the patient to recover quickly with minimal postoperative discomfort.
Dr Dewan stated, "Cases involving such a large number of gallstones are extremely uncommon. What concerned us most was that the patient had been silently enduring severe pain for several years before seeking medical attention. We are relieved that he sought care when he did, as any further delay could have resulted in serious complications such as jaundice, pancreatitis, or, in rare cases, an increased risk of gallbladder cancer."
"The surgery itself was highly challenging, given the sheer number of gallstones and the patient's advanced age. Such complex procedures demand a high degree of surgical expertise and precision to safely remove the diseased gallbladder without causing harm to the surrounding tissues and vital structures. Despite these complexities, we were able to successfully complete the procedure laparoscopically, enabling the patient to recover remarkably well and return home the very next day. Seeing him regain his health so quickly was deeply gratifying for our entire team," he added.
Despite being 83 years old and having additional medical complexities, including hypertension and serum electrolyte imbalance, the patient was successfully managed by Yashoda Medicity's multidisciplinary team through meticulous pre-operative optimisation, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and comprehensive perioperative care.
He was admitted on June 15, underwent surgery on June 16 and was mobilised within just four hours of the procedure. Owing to the minimally invasive approach and coordinated post-operative care, he made a smooth recovery and was discharged the very next day, on June 17.
This rare surgical success underscores Yashoda Medicity's commitment to clinical excellence and its expertise in managing complex cases using advanced minimally invasive techniques. The case also reinforces the importance of seeking timely medical evaluation for persistent abdominal pain and recurrent digestive symptoms, as early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications while enabling faster recovery.