Laparoscopic cholesistectomy

What is it?

It is an operation whereby the gall bladder is removed with the use of a laparoscope. Four small incisions are made in the abdominal region.

What is gall bladder inflammation?

Obstruction of the gall (bile) duct occurs as a result of, for example, gallstones which are not functioning normally. This condition can be either acute or chronic.

Symptoms

  • The condition is more prevalent among overweight women, over 40 years of age.
  • A type of colic pain is experienced in the upper abdomen, and it may spread to the right shoulder and back.
  • Nausea and heartburn.
  • Vomiting may occur if there are gallstones in both ducts.
  • Acute pain is normally experienced in the early hours of the morning after a late evening meal and when fatty foods are eaten.
  • An uncomfortable feeling in the abdomen, flatulence and fever may also occur.

Treatment

  • For an acute attack of cholesistitis bed rest is recommended.
  • An analgesic for pain will be prescribed.
  • As soon as the condition is less acute a cholesistectomy is done (gall-bladder removal).
  • The doctor will arrange for blood to be drawn and analysed for liver functions and viruses (e.g. hepatitis). Some patients may be sent for x-rays or an upper-abdomen sonar.
  • The doctor will discuss with each patient whether he will remove the gall-bladder with a laparotomy or laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic CholesisTectomy:

  • The patient is booked into theatre for a laparoscopic cholesistectomy.
  • The patient may not eat or drink anything for six hours before the operation.
  • The patient is put under general anaesthesia.
  • Small incisions are made in the abdominal wall and four trocars are inserted.
    • A trocar is a canal through which the operation is performed.
  • By using a 30° lens, a light cable and camera, the procedure may be monitored on a TV screen.
  • The gall-bladder, which is situated on the liver, is removed.
  • Sometimes a drainage tube is inserted.

Post-operative control

  • The gall-bladder is sent for analysis.
  • In most cases the patient may have small sips of water on the second day, clear fluids on the third day and from the fourth day a soft to normal diet may be resumed.
  • The patient will be discharged from hospital within three to four days.
  • Most patients are able to bath with the wound dressing.
  • A follow-up consultation at the doctor’s rooms for the removal of the sutures, as well as for receiving the laboratory report regarding the gall-bladder that was removed, is arranged.