Useful Information Concerning Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Houston Patients Need To Have

By Jeffrey Wilson


The gall bladder plays a vital role in the digestive process. This tubular organ, is located adjacent to the liver joins the intestines at the duodenal region. It releases bile juice that has been synthesized by the liver to the intestines so that the digestion of food can take place. At times, bile stones are formed within its lumen which creates the need for surgical intervention. There are some important things on laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston residents need to know.

There are many potential problems that may affect the bladder. Infections and formation of gall stones are the commonest. The stones are made up of cholesterol and bile salts. The biggest complications that these stones pose is the risk of blocking the path used by bile. When this happens, a buildup bilirubin ensues resulting in a phenomenon known as obstructive jaundice.

This surgical operation is usually done when the patient has been put under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes three incisions in the abdomen to be used for the entry of the surgical instruments. An instrument known as a laparoscope is the main piece of equipment used and hence the name of the procedure. The laparoscope helps the surgeon to cut and suture as well as remove the gall stones.

This operation is usually done under general anesthesia. The implication of this is that you will remain asleep as the procedure takes place. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will create three small ports of entry on the abdominal wall to be used for placement of instruments. The most important instrument is what is known as a laparoscope. A camera mounted at the end projects images from the surgical field onto a monitor.

Risks associated with this operation are not only few but very rare as well. They include, for example, pain, diarrhea, bloating, internal bleeding, allergic reaction to anesthetic drugs, injury to structures such as the common bile duct and the intestines and infections (after the operation). In very rare circumstances, the liver and major blood vessels may also be injured or the bile may leak into the abdominal cavity.

Since very small surgical cuts are used here, the duration of hospital stay is markedly reduced. In most centers, patients are allowed home on the same day or after 24 hours at the latest. This is in contrast to the average three days of hospitalization that are required after the open procedure. Resumption of normal routine also takes a shorter period of time (7 to 10 days as compared to 4 to 6 weeks).

Due to the small size of the incisions used, hospital stay has been markedly shorted. Laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is regarded a day case in most centers. The patient can be allowed to go home as soon as they recover from the effects of the anesthesia which is usually one the same day that they undergo surgery. In the open procedure, they are retained for two to four days. Resumption of the normal routine is usually after one week.

Removing gall stones using laparoscopic techniques has completely replaced the traditional open surgical approach in many places in the world. This is mainly due to its short turnaround time and the fewer risks associated with it. Any individual with the problem of gall stones can benefit with very few exceptions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment