Removal of the gallbladder called cholecystectomy is usually performed when there is evidence of gallstone, inflammation of the gallbladder, symptoms of gallbladder disease usually consisting of intermittent right upper abdominal pain most commonly occurs when the stone temporarily blocks one of two ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. If the stones do no pass, the gallbladder may become swollen, inflamed, or infected which may lead more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fever. Newer laparoscopic techniques require only keyhole incisions and recovery period is much shorter. Before the procedure, an intravenous line will be started and you may be given sedative to help you relax. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is done under general anesthesia which will put you to sleep for the duration of operation. This will relax the muscles of the abdominal wall allowing your surgeon room to work. A breathing tube will be temporary inserted through your mouth and into your throat to help you breathe during the operation. You may also have an orogastric tube placed through your mouth and into your stomach to help drain fluid produced there. Most cases take between 30 and 60 minutes to perform. To gain access to your gallbladder and surrounding structures, your surgeon will use short instruments called trocars to create a series of small holes or ports through your abdominal wall. One of these ports is usually located at the navel or umbilicus. Carbon dioxide gas is then pumped through the umbilical port to pop up your abdomen so its contents can be viewed more easily. Next your surgeon will insert laparoscope through the umbilical port. Images from the video camera are projected on the monitor in the operating room. Using other instruments to pass through the various ports, your surgeon will grasp the gallbladder, cut off the main artery and duct, drop it into the specimen bag, remove it from one of the ports. Before removing laparoscope, your surgeon will take one final look around for areas of bleeding or other damage. When the laparoscope is removed, the port valve is left in place briefly to allow all of carbon dioxide to escape from the abdomen. Finally, all the keyhole incisions are closed with sutures or staples and covered with bandages. After the surgery, your breathing and orogastric tubes will be removed and you will be taken to the recovery area for monitoring and you will be given pain medications as needed and progress slowly from liquid to soft to solid diet. Your intravenous line will be removed once your gastrointestinal system recovers. Most elected cholecystectomy patients can leave the hospital within 24 hours. Patients with the infected gallbladder may need to stay one or 2 more days.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 14:41:51 +0000
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