{"id":11615,"date":"2026-07-22T09:24:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T09:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/news\/dr-borna-kovacic-surgery-is-the-best-treatment-for-symptomatic-gallstones\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T09:57:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T09:57:52","slug":"dr-borna-kovacic-surgery-is-the-best-treatment-for-symptomatic-gallstones","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/news\/dr-borna-kovacic-surgery-is-the-best-treatment-for-symptomatic-gallstones\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Borna Kova\u010di\u0107: Surgery is the Best Treatment for Symptomatic Gallstones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><br>Abdominal surgeon Assoc. Prof. Borna Kova\u010di\u0107, MD, PhD, has joined the IMC Priora team, bringing extensive experience in the treatment of gallstones, hernias, hemorrhoids, and other gastrointestinal conditions using modern minimally invasive surgical techniques.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Assoc. Prof. Borna Kova\u010di\u0107, MD, PhD<\/strong>, specialist in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/treatments\/abdominal-surgery\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11256\">abdominal surgery<\/a><\/strong>, has joined the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/priora.eu\">International Medical Center Priora<\/a><\/strong> as a consulting surgeon. As a general and abdominal surgeon, Dr. Kova\u010di\u0107 specializes in the surgical treatment of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, pancreas, and biliary system, including complex oncological procedures. Alongside his clinical work, he is actively involved in medical education and the professional development of surgical practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/treatments\/abdominal-surgery\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Borna-Kovacic-1-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Borna-Kovacic-1-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Borna-Kovacic-1-edited-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What will be the focus of your work at IMC Priora?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>\u2013 I will primarily focus on the conditions we encounter most frequently in our population, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/gallbladder-surgery\/\">gallstones<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/treatments\/hernias\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11224\">hernias<\/a><\/strong>\u2014both inguinal and abdominal wall hernias\u2014as well as diseases affecting the lower part of the large intestine and anus, such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/hemorrhoid-surgery\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11304\">hemorrhoids<\/a><\/strong> and <strong>anal fissures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Which modern surgical techniques do you use today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Around three decades ago, surgery experienced a breakthrough with the introduction of <strong>laparoscopy<\/strong>. Today, we are witnessing another revolution with the development of robotic surgery, which is primarily used for more complex abdominal procedures. However, for most abdominal conditions, laparoscopic surgery remains the gold standard because it offers all the benefits of minimally invasive treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/treatments\/hernias\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1066\" src=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Kovacic_PS.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11624\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How can patients recognize symptoms caused by gallstones?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Many patients discover gallstones incidentally during <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/preventive-package\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"9181\">routine medical examinations<\/a><\/strong>. However, a large proportion of people with gallstones also experience symptoms, which are most commonly related to eating and typically occur after consuming fatty foods or fresh fruit and vegetables. The most common symptoms include pain beneath the right rib cage, upper abdominal pain, pain radiating to the back, nausea, and vomiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do you know when surgery is necessary?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Surgery is recommended whenever gallstones cause symptoms, regardless of whether the patient is younger or older, provided there are no serious underlying medical conditions. In elderly patients or those with significant comorbidities, treatment decisions require particular caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What complications can occur if gallstones are left untreated?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 The most common complications are acute inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis) and acute pancreatitis. The type of complication often depends on the size of the stones. Larger stones are more likely to cause <strong>gallbladder inflammation<\/strong>. In comparison, smaller stones can migrate into the common bile duct and become lodged near its opening into the duodenum, potentially leading to jaundice or acute pancreatitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/gallbladder-surgery\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/abdominalna-kirurgija-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/abdominalna-kirurgija-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/abdominalna-kirurgija-2-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Many people live with a hernia for years. Can it disappear on its own, or will it continue to grow?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 No, a hernia cannot resolve on its own. It may remain the same size for some time, but it is more likely to enlarge over time. Smaller hernias usually cause only mild discomfort during physical activity, whereas larger hernias tend to produce more significant symptoms. One of the most serious complications is incarceration, which often requires emergency surgery. In some cases, the hernia can be manually reduced back into the abdominal cavity. However, if this is not possible, urgent surgical treatment is necessary. Emergency hernia surgery is generally associated with a <strong>higher risk of complications<\/strong> than planned elective surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When is surgical treatment recommended for hemorrhoids?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Hemorrhoids are a condition that many people find difficult to discuss because they affect an intimate part of the body. Surgical treatment is indicated when <strong>symptomatic hemorrhoids<\/strong> do not respond to conservative therapy.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/hemorrhoid-surgery\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Hemeroidi.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Hemeroidi.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Hemeroidi-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Symptoms may include discomfort, burning, itching in the anal area, pain, and, in more advanced cases, bleeding. Like hernias, <strong>hemorrhoids do not disappear on their own<\/strong>. Over time, they may enlarge, leading to inflammation and other complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do hemorrhoids develop? Can they be prevented?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2013 Hemorrhoids develop due to a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, lifestyle, chronic constipation, hard stools, prolonged sitting on the toilet, heavy physical exertion, pregnancy, and childbirth. In general, anything that increases abdominal pressure can contribute to their development. The best prevention is <strong>maintaining healthy lifestyle habits<\/strong>\u2014minimizing prolonged sitting and consuming a diet rich in dietary fiber.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abdominal surgery is now available at IMC Priora. Assoc. Prof. Borna Kova\u010di\u0107 performs laparoscopic surgery for gallstones, hernias, hemorrhoids &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11612,"template":"","news-category":[20],"class_list":["post-11615","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-category-for-patients"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/11615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-category?post=11615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}