The gall bladder is an organ that receives and concentrates bile from the liver and releases it into the digestive tract after a meal. The organ may be affected by a number of diseases that include tumors, gall stones and infections among others. In some cases, there is a need to open it up so as to deal with the problem. The laparoscopic technique is among the most popular approaches used today. There are a number of things on laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston residents need to know.
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.
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.
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.
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.