Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is used to remove the gallbladder once it has quit functioning or in the event that you have gallstones. During the laparoscopic procedure, four small incisions are made on your belly to access the gallbladder for easy removal. You may experience complications after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, although they are rare.
What the Procedure Involves
Three out of four of the incisions made are located to the right just under your ribcage. The fourth incision is made just under the belly button. Each incision is typically less than an inch wide. The surgeon will fill your abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide in order to gain better visual access to your gallbladder. A telescopic camera is then placed through one of the incisions so that the doctor can remove your gallbladder by using a monitor as a viewing guide.
Possible Complications after Gallbladder Removal
Since the doctor must place hollow post instruments in your abdominal cavity there is a rare chance that one of these posts can injure areas such as blood vessels and unseen bowel, which will require additional repair. Injury to the bile duct can cause bile to leak from any number of locations. Injuries to the bile duct are the most common problem after gallbladder removal although the incidence is still rare (0.6 to 2.2 percent).
More Complications
A significant amount of bleeding after the operation is rare but can still happen. There is also the slight chance that you can develop an infection where the four small incisions were made. Antibiotics are given during the operation to reduce this risk. Dr. Fenton-Lee states that "In approximately 5% of all cases, cholecystectomy is unable to be performed laparoscopically." The main reason for this is the presence of scar tissue from previous operations.
Understanding Open Cholecystectomy
An open cholecystectomy is performed using a much larger incision than a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The incision is typically about 10cm wide and located to the right under the rib cage in a horizontal line. The gallbladder is removed, along with any stones, just as in a laparosocopic procedure. When an open cholecystectomy is done the patient will experience a lengthier recovery time.
Post-Surgery Expectations
A person who has just had their gallbladder removed should expect to experience some diarrhea. This is due to the fact that there is no longer a gallbladder to help break down foods. Your body will have to adapt to this change. Once your body is adjusted you will notice a change in your bowel movements. Should you experience any significant pain or fever after the surgery you should contact your doctor immediately.
