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.
Once you have been assessed and deemed fit enough, you will be prepared for the operation. Part of it entails further tests. Since gallbladder disease is often seen alongside liver disease, liver function tests are an important component of the investigative process. You will be instructed to stop drugs that are likely to increase your risk of bleeding. Such may include aspirin, blood thinners and nicotine (from tobacco).
In the procedure, three small incisions (ports) are made in the anterior abdominal wall. The ports are used for the entry of instruments and a camera which captures images from the surgical field that are projected onto a monitor. The surgeon uses the images to perform the operation. To make the organs more accessible, the abdomen is filled with a gas that distends the abdomen and makes each organ more distinct.
General anesthesia is usually used for this kind of operation. What this means is that you will be asleep for the entire duration of the operation. This should be two hours or less. The operation should restore the flow of bile immediately. In the event that the gallbladder is removed, the bile will no longer be stored as before and will instead flow continuously. Research has established that this does not affect digestion significantly.
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.
The laparoscopic approach has some advantages over the open procedure. Among them is the fact that the small incisions that are used result in small scars after healing occurs. Using such incisions also means that there will be less pain and a lower risk of bleeding. Most importantly, however, is that the recovery times associated with this technique are a lot shorter than those required for the open procedure.
It is possible to have this procedure in either an outpatient or an inpatient facility. The latter option is preferred by most surgeons due to the use of general anesthesia. In the inpatient facility, the patient can be observed for a day or two before they are discharged home. On average, resumption of normal activities is at seven to ten days. No special diet is required during recovery.
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.
Once you have been assessed and deemed fit enough, you will be prepared for the operation. Part of it entails further tests. Since gallbladder disease is often seen alongside liver disease, liver function tests are an important component of the investigative process. You will be instructed to stop drugs that are likely to increase your risk of bleeding. Such may include aspirin, blood thinners and nicotine (from tobacco).
In the procedure, three small incisions (ports) are made in the anterior abdominal wall. The ports are used for the entry of instruments and a camera which captures images from the surgical field that are projected onto a monitor. The surgeon uses the images to perform the operation. To make the organs more accessible, the abdomen is filled with a gas that distends the abdomen and makes each organ more distinct.
General anesthesia is usually used for this kind of operation. What this means is that you will be asleep for the entire duration of the operation. This should be two hours or less. The operation should restore the flow of bile immediately. In the event that the gallbladder is removed, the bile will no longer be stored as before and will instead flow continuously. Research has established that this does not affect digestion significantly.
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.
The laparoscopic approach has some advantages over the open procedure. Among them is the fact that the small incisions that are used result in small scars after healing occurs. Using such incisions also means that there will be less pain and a lower risk of bleeding. Most importantly, however, is that the recovery times associated with this technique are a lot shorter than those required for the open procedure.
It is possible to have this procedure in either an outpatient or an inpatient facility. The latter option is preferred by most surgeons due to the use of general anesthesia. In the inpatient facility, the patient can be observed for a day or two before they are discharged home. On average, resumption of normal activities is at seven to ten days. No special diet is required during recovery.
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