Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Gallbladder Surgery:
Gallbladder disease is very common and can be due to
gallstones or to functional problems of the gallbladder.
Symptoms of gallbladder disease are typically right upper
quadrant abdominal pain, often after meals, particularly
with fried and greasy food. Gallbladder attacks are
frequently associated with nausea and possibly vomiting.
The pain can radiate to the back or right shoulder.
Atypical symptoms are relatively common and can include
pain in other parts of the abdomen although lower abdominal
pain is extremely rare. Nausea can be present without pain.
The pain can localize into the chest and may be mistaken
for heart disease or reflux disease. Gallstones
(cholelithiasis) are more common and generally more
dangerous than functional (acalculous) disease because
gallstones can cause more severe problems such as:
*acute inflammation (cholecystitis)
*jaundice
*bile duct obstruction
*pancreatitis
Gallstones can be reliably diagnosed with an ultrasound
examination. Symptomatic gallstones are almost always an
indication for removal of the gallbladder
(cholecystectomy). Other treatments have been tried
unsuccessfully.
Functional gallbladder disease is known under various names
such as chronic acalculous cholecystitis, acalculous
cholecystopathy, biliary dyskinesia etc. Frequently a HIDA
scan may show a malfunctioning gallbladder but often all
tests may be normal. This condition is not inherently
dangerous and the indication for a cholecystectomy depends
entirely on the severity of the symptoms.
The Operation:
A cholecystectomy can usually be performed laparoscopically
through very small incisions and with the help of a camera,
which results in much quicker recovery and less pain
postoperatively. The expected hospital stay ranges from
three to five days for an open cholecystectomy and from
three to five hours if performed laparoscopically. However
as with any laparoscopic procedure there is a 2 – 5 %
chance that a conversion to an open operation may become
necessary. Certain conditions such as severe inflammation
or scarring around the gallbladder, significant bleeding,
previous operations, obesity and a variety of other
anatomical or technical problems can make it unsafe or even
impossible to complete a laparoscopic operation.
Recovery:
Most patients can go home the day of the operation. Heavy
lifting, strenuous work or vigorous sports should be
avoided for about three weeks. Some patients go back to
work in three days.
Please Note:Information at
this web site is for general information and is not
intended for diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. The
information is provided on a voluntary basis by Southern
Surgical Associates, PA for general information purposes.
Southern Surgical Associates, PA does not warranty the
accuracy of the information. Persons should contact their
own physician for appropriate care and treatment of their
health.