Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Facts On Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Houston Patients Will Find Helpful

By Christine Roberts


The gall bladder is a vital organ to the digestive process. It is responsible for the concentration of bile juice which is essential for the digestion of some groups of foods. Occasionally, the organ is affected by diseases such as infections, gall stones or cancerous processes that require a surgical operation to be corrected. Many such surgeries are done through laparoscopy. There are a number of things related to laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston patients 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.

If a decision is made in favor of the operation, you will then be prepared. Part of this preparation will involve having more tests. One of the most important set of tests are the liver function tests which are frequently affected by gallbladder disease. You will be advised to stop taking any drugs, foods or supplements that are likely to put you at risk of excessive bleeding. Common examples include nicotine, aspirin and blood thinners.

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.

General anesthesia is usually used for this kind of surgery. With this anesthesia, one sleeps during the entire surgery and reversal only happens after it has been completed. The average time required is about two hours. Your bile should flow normally as soon as the procedure has been completed. In case, the gallbladder is removed, the storage of bile may be affected but this has very little effect on the process of digestion if at all.

There are a number of possible complications associated with this operation. They include bleeding, infections and injury to vital structures. In about 5% of procedures there is a need to switch from the laparoscopic to the open procedure due to complications. Common reasons as to why this may be necessary include, extensive inflammation and the presence of scar tissue that makes access to the gallbladder difficult.

There are a number of advantages that the laparoscopic technique has over the open procedure. Since the incisions that are used are very small, the resultant scars are also very small. The other advantage is that compared to the open procedure, the risk of excessive bleeding is much lower. Most importantly, persons who undergo this form of operation have shorter recovery periods.

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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