The surgeon inserts a lighted scope attached to a video camera (laparoscope) into one incision near the belly button. The surgeon then uses a video monitor as a guide while inserting surgical instruments into the other incisions to remove your gallbladder.
Before the surgeon removes the gallbladder, you may have a special X-ray procedure called intraoperative cholangiography, which shows the anatomy of the bile ducts.
You will need general anesthesia for this surgery, which usually lasts 2 hours or less.
After surgery, bile flows from the liver (where it is made) through the common bile duct and into the small intestine. Because the gallbladder has been removed, the body can no longer store bile between meals. In most people, this has little or no effect on digestion.
In 5 to 10 out of 100 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries in the United States, the surgeon needs to switch to an open surgical method that requires a larger incision.footnote1 Examples of problems that can require open rather than laparoscopic surgery include unexpected inflammation, scar tissue, injury, and bleeding.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery or cholecyctectomy is a type of treatment involving the removal of the gallbladder and the gallstones by making several small incisions in the patient’s abdomen. It is done by the surgeon who inflates the abdomen using carbon dioxide or air in order to assist him have a clear view of the gallbladder During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a lighted scope that is guided by a video camera through the incisions made on the abdomen or belly button. The video camera allows the doctor to accurately insert instruments in order to remove the gallstones or gallbladder itself. In many cases, your doctor may order an X-ray that would give a clear view of the anatomy of the bile ducts.
A general anesthesia would be applied. The anesthesia is expected to last for about 2 hours or fewer. It is worth noting that after the removal of the gallbladder your body can no longer store bile in between your meals. However, this should not cause any worries since it has minimal to no effect on the digestive processes in your body. What To Expect Gallbladder surgery may be performed on in-patient or outpatient people, but most people can resume their normal activities in about 10 days. You might expect the site to be sore for about one week but this discomfort fades away in about two weeks following the treatment. Those who undergo this surgery do not need special diet or other serious precautions following the surgery. Why Is the Surgery Performed? Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is the preferred treatment for gallstones that cause various symptoms. Unless there are reasons to justify why the surgery may not be the best, the surgery is always the most recommended form of treatment.
How Does Gallstone Surgery North Shore? Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is by far the safest and most effective option for treating or getting rid of stubborn gallstones in your gallbladder. However, contrary to the general perception, this surgery does not treat stones found in common bile duct. Gallstones can take long forming inside your bile duct after the removal of the gallbladder. However, this is a rare case and individuals should not be worried about it.
Risks Associated with the Treatment
Generally, the surgery has very low risks if any, but patients should see the doctor if they notice the following:
• Infections around the surgical site
• Internal bleeding
• Injury to the small intestine during the surgery
• Injury to the bile duct
• Remnants of the gallstones in the abdominal cavity
• Leaking bile
• Injury caused to the abdominal blood vessels, especially the hepatic artery
Some common but mild symptoms may include bloating, pain and diarrhea, or postcholcystectomy syndrome. Ensure to let a skilled Gallstone Surgery North Shore doctor handle your surgery to avoid any of the negative side effects mentioned above.
