
A laparoscopic gallbladder removal involves a procedure that is minimally invasive in nature. It has been a revolutionary step in metamorphosing the procedure into a technique of supreme expertise.
A laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is conducted to evict the organ or the discrepancies that are present in the organ. The gallbladder is an organ that is located beneath the liver. The bile produced in the liver is contained in the gallbladder. As mentioned, the aim of the surgery is to either repair or eject the organ from the body, and this needs to be done if the gallbladder consists substances, such as gallstones that may hinder the drainage of the bile juices. This may cause severe abdominal pain due to which one may feel weak. A laparoscopic gallbladder surgery — a borderline-invasive surgery — is performed by a surgeon who is an expert in the faculty.
A gallbladder surgery is preponderantly recommended when gallstones are causing discomfort resulting in the gallbladder not functioning efficiently. Gallstones may cause gallbladder distention, inadvertently leading to vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, and a shooting pain in the abdomen. The condition is also marked by nausea, sometimes, preceded by pain in the upper right region of the abdomen, or the area underneath the breast bone.
There have been, but few cases, where the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery cannot be performed. There are certain reasons why your surgeon may switch to an open surgery prior to, or in the midst of the surgical procedure. If the patient is obese or has contracted dense tissues due to an abdominal surgery conducted earlier, the surgeon decides to conduct an open surgery instead of operating laparoscopically.
Here is a brief description of the procedure that is required and administered by the surgeon in order to repair or retract the gallbladder. The gallbladder surgery is performed in two ways. One is known as open cholecystectomy and the other is known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Open cholecystectomy is a procedure in which there is one large incision made by the surgeon, and thus the organ is removed. In laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, the process is only partially invasive.
Before the surgery, the surgeon asks you to:
- Be prepared for the conduction of certain X-ray tests that reflect the internal conditions with clarity;
- Stay on fluids two to three days prior to the scheduled date of the surgery.
- Anesthesia is administered to the patient before the surgery begins. It is after the anesthesia starts taking effect that the surgery can commence.
- The surgeon makes 3 to 4 holes or incisions in the abdomen. They are extremely tiny incisions that have tube-like instruments inserted through them.
- In the beginning, the surgeon bloats the abdominal cavity with gas, so that he may get a clear view of the discrepancies.
- In the first incision, a tube called the cannula with a camera attached is introduced. This camera transmits the images on the monitoring screen.
- In the other incisions made, a cannula is inserted through each. It is through the insertion of the cannula that the equipment and tools that are required to perform the surgery are introduced and are thus navigated into the abdominal cavity. It is through these tubes or cannulas that the gallbladder can be removed.
- With the surgery laparoscopically conducted, the recovery time is reduced.
- The pain that you experienced has now been eradicated.
- The most salient feature of this surgery is that it helps you get rid of the gallstones that have been creating trouble for your system and are proving to be a hindrance in the bile flow.
- As the surgery is partially invasive in nature, scarring will be significantly minimal.
- You are not subjected to long stays in the hospital as you may move to the comfort of your home within a span of 24 to 72 hours.
- A feeling of intense pull and stretch in muscles may be felt for a while.
- Discomfort in the area where the surgery is performed.
- You are bound to feel some amount of pain and tenderness in the abdomen for a day or two.
- You may have diarrhea for a brief period.
- Episodes of feeling lightheaded may occur.
- Swelling at the surgery site, which will subside as time lapses.
Individuals who have been prescribed this surgery must be prepared to release an amount that ranges anywhere between $3000 to $9000. The total cost of the surgery, inclusive of the hospital stay, may range between $30,000 to $55,000. The costs may also depend and vary if you have a health insurance that covers the surgery and the preceding medical and prognostic treatment costs. These values are calculated on an average and are presented to give you a fair idea of the cost you may incur and are not the exact figures that you may quote.
With the above-given information, I believe you are all the more secure about the surgery and its various aspects.
Note.-The article published herein, is meant to accomplish pedagogical purposes only. The information, by no means, intends to supplant the diagnosis and advice imparted by the medical practitioner.