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LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY |
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LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY (Gall Bladder)
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The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped pouch
situated under the liver in the upper right part of the abdomen. It stores bile,
a liquid produced by the liver, and then releases it into the intestine to help
digestion.
The gallbladder may need to be removed to treat gallstones. The operation is
usually done using keyhole surgery, which is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy
(co-lee-sist-ek-tomy).
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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gall Bladder)
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Why have gallbladder
removal?
Gallstones are small,
hard stones, which can sometimes develop in the gallbladder. They can result in
a blockage of the flow of bile out of the gallbladder and symptoms that can
include pain, jaundice (yellowed skin), and fever.
The body can function well without a gallbladder and
removing it is a common treatment for gallstones that are causing symptoms.
Most gallbladder surgery is performed laparoscopically
("keyhole surgery"), but a small number of people need open surgery. |
The operation
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy usually lasts 60-90 minutes
and requires a stay in hospital of two nights. The operation is performed under
a general anaesthetic, which means that the person is asleep and feels no pain.
Typically, people are asked not to eat or drink for six hours before a general
anaesthetic. Some anaesthetists allow a few sips of water until two hours
before.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, a hollow needle
is inserted through or near the umbilicus (belly button) and used to inflate the
abdomen slightly with carbon dioxide gas. The laparoscope (a long, thin
telescope) is then inserted through another small incision. This gives the
surgeon a view of the internal organs on a video monitor.
To remove the gallbladder, specially adapted surgical
instruments are inserted through two further small incisions. The incisions used
in this type of surgery are usually between one and two centimetres long. When
the operation is complete, the incisions are closed with stitches and the four
small wounds are covered with dressings. |
Deciding to have the
operation
Laparoscopic
cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed type of abdominal surgery and is
generally a safe operation. For most people, the benefits in terms of improved
symptoms are far greater than the disadvantages.
However, in order to give informed consent, anyone
deciding whether or not to have this procedure needs to be aware of the possible
side-effects and the risk of complications. |
Side-effects
Side-effects are the unwanted but mostly mild and
temporary effects of a successful procedure. Examples of side-effects include
feeling sick as a result of the general anaesthetic or painkillers. Medicines
are available to help avoid this. In addition, common side-effects of
laparoscopic cholecystectomy include:
- Some soreness in the abdomen.
- Possibly some pain in the shoulders, especially the
right shoulder, and the upper right part of the abdomen - this is caused by the
gas that is used to inflate the abdomen, and usually settles within 24 hours. |
Complications
Complications are
unexpected problems that can occur during or after the procedure. Most people
are not affected. However, possible complications of any operation are:
- Excessive bleeding.
- An abnormal reaction to the anaesthetic.
- Developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg
(deep vein thrombosis; DVT) - most people are asked to wear compression
stockings to help maintain the blood flow in the veins of the legs during and
after the procedure.
Further treatment, such as another operation to stop
any bleeding or antibiotics to deal with an infection, may be needed.
The possible complications specific to a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy are:
- Damage to organs or blood vessels in the abdomen.
- Injury to the bile duct.
- Jaundice.
Occasionally, it is not possible to complete the
operation with the "keyhole" method and the operation may need to be converted
to opening the abdomen. This complication is uncommon.
In the longer term, some people experience ongoing
abdominal symptoms, such as pain, bloating, wind and diarrhea. This is known as
"postcholecystectomy syndrome" and may require further investigation and
treatment. |
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