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Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, this is what you should know about

Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder or laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure with an incision the size of a keyhole to remove a gallbladder that is having problems, such as gallstones. The gallbladder is located near the liver and functions as a store of bile. Bile itself is produced by the liver and serves to help digest fat. If the gallbladder has a problem, for example there are gallstones, one of the treatments is to remove the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires only a smaller incision on the patient's skin compared to conventional gallbladder lifting surgery. With this method, post-operative pain that appears can be lighter and post-operative care becomes shorter.

Indications for Surgery to Remove Gallbladder with Laparoscopy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly performed to treat gallstone disease and complications arising from gallstones. Gallstones that are formed due to condensing bile can be as large as grains of sand to the size of golf balls. Apart from the gallstones, patients will be advised to do gallbladder removal if they suffer from diseases such as:
  • Cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder.
  • Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas gland.
  • Biliary dyskinesia, which is a disorder of the gallbladder and its ducts so that the gallbladder cannot fill or empty its contents properly.
  • Choledocholithiasis or gallbladder stones, which occur as a result of gallstones moving from the gallbladder into the bile ducts, are feared to clog the ducts.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal warning surgery

Only about 2-3% of people with gallstones cause symptoms. Patients who suffer from gallstones but do not cause symptoms, actually do not need to do surgery to remove the gallbladder. Discuss with your doctor about the removal of the gallbladder where gallstones cause no symptoms. Some conditions that require special attention before undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder lifting surgery include:
  • Patients with blood clotting disorders (coagulopathy) who do not
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Heart failure.
  • The gallbladder decays.
  • Obesity.
  • Is pregnant.
  • Patients suspected of having gallbladder cancer.
  • Cirrhosis.
Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure, should undergo conventional gall bladder lift surgery instead of using laparoscopy, because these patients are sensitive to the gas that will be given to inflate the stomach when operating with the laparoscopic technique. Patients suspected of having gallbladder cancer should also undergo conventional gallbladder lifting surgery, because the surgeon needs to explore the area around the gallbladder. In addition, also to reduce the risk of organ leakage during surgery. Laparoscopy allows patients to recover more quickly after surgery compared to conventional or open surgery. Consult your doctor about the right time to remove the gall bladder and the right choice whether surgery is open or laparoscopic.

Laparoscopic Lifting Bile Bladder Surgery Preparation

After being advised to perform gallbladder lifting surgery, the patient will be evaluated for his health condition by looking at a history of previous illnesses, conducting physical examinations, and several tests, such as blood tests. Patients should also tell the doctor if they are taking certain medications or supplements. If needed, the doctor will ask the patient to stop taking the drug. Other preparations that must be done by the patient before undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy are:
  • Do not eat and drink several hours before the procedure is carried out.
  • Bath with antiseptic soap.
  • Ask the family to deliver and pick up, and wait for the operation and postoperative care.
  • Take laxatives.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal procedure

The patient will first be changed into a special hospital gown. After that, the doctor will install an IV line to deliver the medication needed during surgery. During the procedure, the patient will not feel anything because he will be given general anesthesia (general anesthesia). Laparoscopic lifting of the gallbladder begins by making 4 skin incisions in the patient's stomach the size of a keyhole, close to the gallbladder. Through this incision, a laparoscopic device in the form of a camera tube is inserted into the stomach, to display a picture of the condition around the gallbladder via video. Then the gas will be inserted into the patient's abdominal cavity so that it is bulging, to facilitate the surgical procedure. With the help of video, the surgeon will insert other tools into the patient's stomach. If the equipment needed is in the right position, the doctor will cut and remove the gallbladder. If there are abnormalities around the gallbladder, the doctor will also correct the abnormality. After the gallbladder removal procedure is complete, the doctor will check the condition of the gallbladder again using X-rays. This technique is called cholangiography. After that, the doctor will close back the skin slices that have been made with stitches. Patients who have finished the surgery are then taken to the treatment room for recovery.

After Surgery Raise Gallbladder with Laparoscopy

Patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy can go home the same day or stay overnight in the hospital, depending on the patient's condition. Generally after undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the patient will not experience certain side effects. But in some cases, patients can experience diarrhea. Patients are encouraged to clean and treat surgical wounds during the healing period. The doctor will arrange a routine control schedule to monitor the healing of patients after surgery. During the healing period, patients can also be given antibiotics and pain medications to prevent complications. Healing wounds from laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery generally lasts about 1 week, in contrast to conventional cholecystectomy which usually takes longer.

Complications of Bile Bladder Surgery with Laparoscopy

Complications arising from laparoscopic cholecystectomy are very rare. However, the possibility of complications after undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains. Some of these complications include:
  • Gallbladder leak.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Injury or damage to tissue in organs around the gallbladder, such as the intestine and liver.
  • Bleeding.
  • Blood clots.
  • Surgical wound infection.
  • Heart Disorders.
  • Pancreatitis.
  • Damage to blood vessels.
  • An allergic reaction to anesthetic drugs given during a cholecystectomy procedure or to other drugs.

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