Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal

HI,

I am Dr. Khomane Gorakshanath, Laparoscopic consultant and surgeon in Suchak and Sanchaiti Hospital in Kandivali. Today we are talking about laparoscopic gallbladder removal. What is laparoscopic gallbladder removal? It is a minimally invasive surgery in which small incision with specialized tools used to remove the gallbladder when it is diseased or infected. The gallbladder is a small organ which is located near the liver. The bile is released from the gallbladder in the small intestine for digestion or breaks down of the fact. Normal digestion is possible without a gallbladder. So, removal of the gallbladder is a treatment option if it becomes diseased or infected.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is a common type of surgery. It is formally known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Why is laparoscopic gallbladder removal performed? The main reason for gallbladder removal is the presence of gallstones and the complications they cause. The presence of gallstones is called as colelitiasis. Gallstones form inside the gallbladder. They can be as small as a grain of sand. or as big as a golf ball. This type of surgery, if you have following problem like biliary dyskinesia, the gallbladder is incorrectly filling or it is not emptying properly. Then there is coledocolitiasis wherein the bile duct has got stones which are removed from the gallbladder and they have a potential blockage causing the complications. It prevents the gallbladder from draining from the bile. Colelitiasis one another inflammation in the gallbladder which requires removal of the gallbladder.

Then pancreatitis can be caused by gallstones our gallbladder problems. Laparoscopic surgery is preferred open surgery because a smaller incision that is made reduced your risk of infection, bleeding and the recovery time. Reduced drainage of the gallbladder. The risk of laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Mainly it is considered very safe. The complication rate is less than 2%. Every surgical procedure carries some risk. But they are rare. Your doctor will perform the complete physical examination. He will review your medical history before any procedure. This will help to minimize the risk. The risk of laparoscopic gallbladder removal include allergy to anesthesia or any other drug then bleeding, blood clots, damage to the blood vessels. Some heart problems wherein rapid heart rate is there, infection is there or injury to the bile duct or small intestine or pancreatitis.

How to prepare for a laparoscopic gallbladder removal? You have to go for several tests beforehand to ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure. This will include blood test, imaging test for gallbladder like ultrasonography or MRCP then complete physical examination by your doctor. Review of your medical history. You have to tell to your doctor about any medications, you are taking or nutritional supplements. Sometimes you may have to stop medicines. Also, you have to tell your doctor about your status of your pregnancy. If you are pregnant or if you think you could be pregnant then you have to tell your doctor about it. Your doctor will give you complete instructions about preparing for a surgery.

And you should not eat or drink before 4-6 hours of surgery. Planning for a hospital if there are some complications. Now, how gallbladder laparoscopic surgery performed? Before beginning the procedure, you will be changed into a hospital gown, you will be given to IV, so your doctor can give medications and fluids through a vein when you will be under general anesthesia means you will be in painless sleep. Your surgeon will make 4 small incisions in your abdomen. Through these incisions, he will guide a tool, which will be with the lighted camera so that inside the abdomen can be seen. You will be inflammated with some gas into the abdominal cavity so that it can be operated.

After your gallbladder is removed, your surgeon will use some special x-rays to check the problem in your bile duct. This technique is called as cholangiography. Any abnormality in the bile duct will be removed. Once your surgeon is satisfied with the results, he will stitch all the incisions taken and he will be bandaging. After the procedure, you will be taken to a room, where you will allow to recover through anesthesia. Most people can go home on the same day. Sometimes you have to go on the next day. After laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, removal of the gallbladder is done, there are very rare complications or symptoms. You may sometimes feel loose motions or diarrhea. We encourage you for early walking once you start feeling better.

Your doctor will instruct that when you will be ready for normal activities. Full recovery is typically taking a week. Then you will be in charge of looking after your own and taking care of washing it till the period it is there. In the next follow-up, your doctor will remove stitches. So, these are the information. If you want more than these, you can contact me through lybrate.com.

Thank You.