Monday, May 16, 2016

Facts On Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Houston Patients Will Find Helpful

By Christine Roberts


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.

Once you have been assessed and deemed fit enough, you will be prepared for the operation. Part of it entails further tests. Since gallbladder disease is often seen alongside liver disease, liver function tests are an important component of the investigative process. You will be instructed to stop drugs that are likely to increase your risk of bleeding. Such may include aspirin, blood thinners and nicotine (from tobacco).

The abdomen is usually opened using three small incisions (ports). These are used to insert the surgical instruments as well as the camera (laparoscope). Images from the camera are transmitted onto a monitor in the operating room and this guides the surgeon through the entire operation. The ports are also used to introduce a small amount of carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity so as to make individual organs more distinct and accessible.

The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia. With this type of anesthesia, one is put to sleep and only awoken once the surgery has been completed. The average time for the operation is about two hours. Restoration of bile flow is immediate. If the gall bladder is removed (cholecystectomy), bile will not be stored as before and will flow directly into the digestive tract.

You need to familiarize yourself with the likely complications that may be encountered with this operation. In the short term, patients may suffer from infections, injury to abdominal structures and bleeding. About 5 in 100 operations are difficult to perform and require conversion to the open technique. This may come about due to excessive inflammation or scar tissue.

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.

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery can be done in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Since general anesthesia is usually used, most surgeons prefer that the procedure be carried out in an inpatient facility where observations can be carried out over one or two days. You can resume your normal activities in seven to ten days. There is no need for a special diet during the recovery period.




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