Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery in El Paso
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is done to get rid of the gallbladder and gallstones through several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon in charge of this operation enlarges your abdomen with carbon dioxide or air to view the operation area properly.
The surgeon fixes a scope that is lighted on a video camera (laparoscope), which is then inserted into one incision close to the belly button. The surgeon then uses a video monitor as a guide while inserting surgical instruments into the other incisions in order to remove your gallbladder.
Before the removal of the gallbladder, you might need to have a special X-ray procedure done. This procedure is called intraoperative cholangiography and it shows the inside of the bile ducts.
One to two hours of general anesthesia is needed to carry out this surgery.
After the surgery, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. Because the gallbladder has been taken out, the body will not be able be to store bile after meals. In most cases, this doesn’t affect digestion.
During about 5 to 10 out of 100 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries in the United States, the surgeon must opt for an open surgical method that requires a larger incision. Medical issues that need an open rather than laparoscopic surgery include scar tissue, unexpected inflammation, injury, and bleeding.
What To Expect After Gallbladder Surgery
After surgery, you might be required to stay in the hospital for about a day or two. For some patients, it could take up to a week to 10 days before they can get back on their feet, as they are likely to be sore after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. However, in most cases, those who underwent laparoscopic surgery will recover faster than those who had open surgery.
Why Gallbladder Surgery Is Done
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is used to treat gallstones that are causing unpleasant symptoms. Surgery may not be necessary if the gallstone symptoms are not severe.
How Successful Is Gallbladder Surgery?
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is a very effective and safe method for the removal of gallstones that are found in the gallbladder. It can’t be used to remove stones that are found in the common bile duct. There is the possibility that gallstones can be formed in the common bile duct a couple of years after the gallbladder has been removed, although a case like this is rare.
Risks of Gallbladder Surgery
The risk involved in laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is low. However, in some cases, these complications may occur:
- Infection as a result of an incision.
- Internal bleeding.
- Injury to the common bile duct.
- Injury to the small intestine with the instruments that are used during surgery.
- Risks of general anesthesia.
Other uncommon complications may include:
- Gallstones could still be stuck in the abdominal cavity.
- Bile can leak into the abdominal cavity.
- There could be injury to abdominal blood vessels, like the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the liver (hepatic artery).
- A gallstone can be pushed into the common bile duct.
- The liver could also be affected
More surgery might be needed to fix these complications.
Additionally, after undergoing gallbladder surgery, some people might experience abdominal symptoms like bloating, pain, gas, and diarrhea (postcholecystectomy syndrome).
Things To Consider
- With laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, recovery time is often much quicker and less painful than open surgery.
- Patients generally spend less time in the hospital after laparoscopic surgery. Most patients go home the next day or even the same day.
- You likely won’t have to spend a lot of time away from work and other important activities after having laparoscopic surgery.
Is Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery in El Paso Right For You?
Not everyone is a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. No matter what information you read online, the best way to find out if laparoscopic surgery is the right choice is to schedule a consultation with an experienced laparoscopic surgeon like Dr. Benjamin Clapp.
To schedule an appointment (or for cost and pricing information), please contact us.