Gall Bladder plays the role of collecting and storing a liquid called bile inside the body that breaks down food. When the gallbladder stops functioning smoothly, small and hard deposits start forming inside. It can eventually lead to health problems to a certain point where the doctors will advise you to remove the gallbladder through surgery.
Previously, the sole technique employed for the removal was open surgery where a large incision is made in the belly to remove the bladder. However, with the development of Laparoscopic surgery, the need for such instruments is minimized with fewer and smaller cuts. The most essential tool needed in this technique is the laparoscope.
What Is the Gallbladder and When Should It Be Removed?
The gallbladder is a very small pouch-like organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen. It stores the bile juice that is a liquid produced to help the liver break down the fatty foods.
In some cases, the gall bladder couldn’t break down the food components precisely and stones start forming inside it. Once gallstones are formed, they will be accompanied by severe pain and discomfort that will be hard to bear over a long period.
If you have gallstones but they aren’t causing any symptoms currently, then there is no need for immediate surgery. However, you will need it later on if a stone enters your bile ducts and blocks them causing a phenomenon called a gallbladder attack. The pain in your belly will be knife-like and intense leaving you aching for several hours.
What’s more unfortunate is that if the stones are left untreated, it could lead to issues like-
- Cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder)
- Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
- Cholangitis (inflamed bile ducts)
You will have to undergo a gallbladder removal surgery if you experience the following symptoms:
1) Indigestion accompanied by bloating, gas, or heartburn
2) A very sharp and unbearable pain in the belly/abdomen area
3) Frequent occurrence of nausea and vomit
4) Yellowness of the skin or whites of the eyes that is similar to jaundice
5) Fever
Want to know a good thing?
You don’t need a gallbladder to live a healthy life. It means that you can undergo gallbladder removal surgery whenever you need it.
Best Method for Gallbladder Removal- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Over the past years, Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery has become the preferred method for the treatment of gallstones. The procedure is easy to understand for the patients and the chances of successful surgery are far greater than open surgical methods. It involves:
- The surgeon starts the procedure with a small incision in your abdomen.
- A laparoscope is then inserted through that cut to get a clear view of the internal belly region.
- Gas is pumped inside the belly to expand the space and get enough room to remove the gallbladder.
- The gallbladder is carefully removed using the laparoscope and other instruments.
- The incisions are closed with surgical tape, glue, staples, or stitches which heal over time and eliminate the need for removal.
With laparoscopic gallbladder removal, you will be able to leave the hospital within 24 to 48 hours and the recovery time is also significantly reduced. Open surgical methods can offer you such privilege and that’s why most doctors recommend using laparoscopy as the standard form of gallstones and similar health issues.
Things to Keep in Mind
Though the gallbladder doesn’t play a major role in bodily functions, it is necessary that a safe gallbladder removal procedure is followed. Like other types of surgeries, gall bladder removal has several complications and risks associated that includes:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Bile Leakage
- Heart Problems
- Hernia
If such complications arise post-op, then you will have to suffer again. Due to all this, the development of laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is like a boon that minimizes these risks. Even more so, while the recovery period for conventional surgery is six to eight weeks, laparoscopic surgery reduces the recovery period to two weeks. It means you won’t have to stay in your bed for over a month feeling restless and uneasy. With proper care and taking help from Expert Laparoscopic Surgeons for gallbladder removal, you can leave the hospital post-op on the same day and recover at home. The healthcare team will stay in contact with you for follow-ups and checkups as well.
