Located at the back of the liver and next to the backbone, the gallbladder is a secondary organ in the digestive system. Its main function is to store and distribute bile juice that the liver produces to the small intestine through bile ducts. When the gallbladder is removed, the digestive system continues to function with little interruption.
When is Gallbladder Removal Recommended
Gallbladder removal is commonly recommended as a treatment for gallstones according to the website Gallbladder Attack. Gallstones occur when there is an imbalance in the composition of the bile, which consists of many elements such as cholesterol, salts, acids, calcium and waste. Gallbladderattack.com reports that gallstones occur in approximately 10 percent of the adult male population in the United States, and are usually the result of dietary and hereditary factors. Galbladder diseases also can necessitate the removal of the organ. These diseases include biliary dyskinesia, cholecystisis, choledocholithias, gallbladder polyps or cancer among others. An injury due to accident also may lead to removal.
Procedures
According to Baylor College of Medicine, gallbladder removal, or cholesystectomy in medical parlance, is usually performed as a simple laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia, although in one out of 20 operations, after the procedure has started, doctors may decide to make it an open surgery due to complications.
This keyhole method involves the insertion of a telescope through the navel to gain access to the abdominal cavity. A gas made up of carbon dioxide is passed through this tube to open up the abdominal cavity. Other small incisions may be necessary for surgical instruments to pass through. The gallbladder is removed while an X-ray monitors internal conditions. Placing a drain for a day or two may be necessary. After the surgery, medication is given for pain, nausea and vomiting, which are usually common after this surgery.
Prognosis
Gallbladder surgeries enjoy a high rate of success. In almost all cases, the patient can start drinking water the evening of the surgery. Patients can go home the day after surgery, after which they can return to their normal diet. They can resume their lifestyles in about a week.
However, there are some potential side effects after a gallbladder removal. These can include bleeding and infection, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. In some cases, the bile duct or bowel could sustain an injury. Other potential problems include pain that worsens over time, and bleeding; irritation, swelling or redness around the incision.
