Saturday, July 30, 2016

Important Information On Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Houston Residents Should Know

By Jeffrey Wilson


The gall bladder is an important organ in the process of digestion. It is connected to both the liver and the intestines (the duodenal region). It stores, concentrates and releases bile juice to the intestines to facilitate the breakdown of some food components. Occasionally, its function is impaired due to accumulation of gall stones which have to be removed surgically. There are a number of facts on laparoscopic gallbladder surgery Houston residents need to know.

Before a decision to be operated is made, you will need to visit your doctor for a comprehensive evaluation. This process will include the taking of a medical history on the condition as well as undergoing a physical examination. Symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of gall bladder stones include pain (especially in the right, upper abdominal region), nausea and vomiting.

This surgical operation is usually done when the patient has been put under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes three incisions in the abdomen to be used for the entry of the surgical instruments. An instrument known as a laparoscope is the main piece of equipment used and hence the name of the procedure. The laparoscope helps the surgeon to cut and suture as well as remove the gall stones.

Your doctor may request some tests to help them make a diagnosis. Ultrasound scans are among the most effective modalities in diagnosing gall stones. If other problems are suspected as well, additional investigations will be required. These may include, for instance, radionuclide images, CT scans and X-rays. Dietary changes are sometimes recommended to provide symptomatic relief but it should be noted that surgical intervention is the only definitive management of gall bladder stones.

Risks associated with this operation are not only few but very rare as well. They include, for example, pain, diarrhea, bloating, internal bleeding, allergic reaction to anesthetic drugs, injury to structures such as the common bile duct and the intestines and infections (after the operation). In very rare circumstances, the liver and major blood vessels may also be injured or the bile may leak into the abdominal cavity.

The small size of incisions used in this procedures allows patients to leave the hospital earlier than is the case with the open technique. In most cases, patients are allowed home on the same day. In contrast, an average of three days of admission are required when the open technique is used. Another major advantage is the fact that one can resume work after about a week which is a lot less than the four weeks recommended for the open surgery.

There are a number of conditions that are known to affect the bladder. Examples include gall stones, infections and tumors among others. Gall stones are the commonest of the three. The stones are made up of bile salts and cholesterol. The reason as to why they need to be removed is that they may block the flow of bile which in turn causes a condition known as obstructive jaundice.

Removing gall stones using laparoscopic techniques has completely replaced the traditional open surgical approach in many places in the world. This is mainly due to its short turnaround time and the fewer risks associated with it. Any individual with the problem of gall stones can benefit with very few exceptions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment