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.
Before undergoing the operation, one is subject to a number of tests that will not only help in diagnosing the problem but will also determine whether surgical intervention is a viable option. Imaging studies such as ultrasound and CT scan are among the most important. More invasive investigations such as endoscopy (magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography, MRCP) may be needed in selected cases of biliary disease.
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 procedure entails the creation of three small surgical cuts (also known as ports). These facilitate the entry and operation of surgical instruments. One of the ports is used for the placement of a camera that captures images projected onto a monitor. The surgeon will perform the operation under guidance by what will be projected onto the monitor. The ports are also used to introduce carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity making the organs more distinct.
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.
You need to be aware of the potential complications of this operation. Common short term complications include injury to vital organs such as the liver and intestines, bleeding and infections. Due to the small space used to operate, there may be a need to convert the laparoscopic surgery to an open procedure in about 5% of procedures. Gall bladder inflammation and extensive scar tissues are some of the reasons as to why such a conversion may be necessary.
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.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery can be done in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Since general anesthesia is usually used, most surgeons prefer that the procedure be carried out in an inpatient facility where observations can be carried out over one or two days. You can resume your normal activities in seven to ten days. There is no need for a special diet during the recovery period.
Before undergoing the operation, one is subject to a number of tests that will not only help in diagnosing the problem but will also determine whether surgical intervention is a viable option. Imaging studies such as ultrasound and CT scan are among the most important. More invasive investigations such as endoscopy (magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography, MRCP) may be needed in selected cases of biliary disease.
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 procedure entails the creation of three small surgical cuts (also known as ports). These facilitate the entry and operation of surgical instruments. One of the ports is used for the placement of a camera that captures images projected onto a monitor. The surgeon will perform the operation under guidance by what will be projected onto the monitor. The ports are also used to introduce carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity making the organs more distinct.
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.
You need to be aware of the potential complications of this operation. Common short term complications include injury to vital organs such as the liver and intestines, bleeding and infections. Due to the small space used to operate, there may be a need to convert the laparoscopic surgery to an open procedure in about 5% of procedures. Gall bladder inflammation and extensive scar tissues are some of the reasons as to why such a conversion may be necessary.
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.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery can be done in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Since general anesthesia is usually used, most surgeons prefer that the procedure be carried out in an inpatient facility where observations can be carried out over one or two days. You can resume your normal activities in seven to ten days. There is no need for a special diet during the recovery period.
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