The gall bladder is a tubular organ found adjacent to the liver. It is integrally involved in the process of digestion by releasing the all-important bile juice into the digestive tract. The organ is sometimes affected by disease processes that include, among others, gall stones, infections and cancers. Surgery is often required whenever such conditions are encountered. If they have been scheduled to have laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston residents need to understand a number of things.
One has to be taken through several investigations before the decision to have the surgery is made. A number of imaging studies are usually required to help make a diagnosis as well as assess whether surgery is beneficial in a given case. Ultrasound and CT scan are among the most commonly used imaging studies. Magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography is a form of endoscopy used to assess the biliary system.
If a decision is made in favor of the operation, you will then be prepared. Part of this preparation will involve having more tests. One of the most important set of tests are the liver function tests which are frequently affected by gallbladder disease. You will be advised to stop taking any drugs, foods or supplements that are likely to put you at risk of excessive bleeding. Common examples include nicotine, aspirin and blood thinners.
The abdomen is usually opened using three small incisions (ports). These are used to insert the surgical instruments as well as the camera (laparoscope). Images from the camera are transmitted onto a monitor in the operating room and this guides the surgeon through the entire operation. The ports are also used to introduce a small amount of carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity so as to make individual organs more distinct and accessible.
General anesthesia is usually used for this kind of surgery. With this anesthesia, one sleeps during the entire surgery and reversal only happens after it has been completed. The average time required is about two hours. Your bile should flow normally as soon as the procedure has been completed. In case, the gallbladder is removed, the storage of bile may be affected but this has very little effect on the process of digestion if at all.
There are a number of possible complications associated with this operation. They include bleeding, infections and injury to vital structures. In about 5% of procedures there is a need to switch from the laparoscopic to the open procedure due to complications. Common reasons as to why this may be necessary include, extensive inflammation and the presence of scar tissue that makes access to the gallbladder difficult.
Laparoscopy has several advantages over the open technique. One of the advantages is the fact that the surgical cuts are smaller hence the scars that are formed later on are less conspicuous. The smaller incisions also results in less bleeding and less pain. Perhaps the most important is the fact that the recovery time is significantly shortened.
Although one can safely have the procedure in an outpatient department, most surgeons prefer to admit the patients for one or two days. Resumption of normal routines is typically within seven to 10 days. There may be a bit of soreness around the incision sites but this should resolve within a couple of days. One can proceed with their normal diet after leaving the hospital.
One has to be taken through several investigations before the decision to have the surgery is made. A number of imaging studies are usually required to help make a diagnosis as well as assess whether surgery is beneficial in a given case. Ultrasound and CT scan are among the most commonly used imaging studies. Magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography is a form of endoscopy used to assess the biliary system.
If a decision is made in favor of the operation, you will then be prepared. Part of this preparation will involve having more tests. One of the most important set of tests are the liver function tests which are frequently affected by gallbladder disease. You will be advised to stop taking any drugs, foods or supplements that are likely to put you at risk of excessive bleeding. Common examples include nicotine, aspirin and blood thinners.
The abdomen is usually opened using three small incisions (ports). These are used to insert the surgical instruments as well as the camera (laparoscope). Images from the camera are transmitted onto a monitor in the operating room and this guides the surgeon through the entire operation. The ports are also used to introduce a small amount of carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity so as to make individual organs more distinct and accessible.
General anesthesia is usually used for this kind of surgery. With this anesthesia, one sleeps during the entire surgery and reversal only happens after it has been completed. The average time required is about two hours. Your bile should flow normally as soon as the procedure has been completed. In case, the gallbladder is removed, the storage of bile may be affected but this has very little effect on the process of digestion if at all.
There are a number of possible complications associated with this operation. They include bleeding, infections and injury to vital structures. In about 5% of procedures there is a need to switch from the laparoscopic to the open procedure due to complications. Common reasons as to why this may be necessary include, extensive inflammation and the presence of scar tissue that makes access to the gallbladder difficult.
Laparoscopy has several advantages over the open technique. One of the advantages is the fact that the surgical cuts are smaller hence the scars that are formed later on are less conspicuous. The smaller incisions also results in less bleeding and less pain. Perhaps the most important is the fact that the recovery time is significantly shortened.
Although one can safely have the procedure in an outpatient department, most surgeons prefer to admit the patients for one or two days. Resumption of normal routines is typically within seven to 10 days. There may be a bit of soreness around the incision sites but this should resolve within a couple of days. One can proceed with their normal diet after leaving the hospital.
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