A healthy gallbladder aids in food digestion. However, should any issues arise such as bile imbalance, hard particles or gallstones will begin to form. Gallstones can range in size anywhere from a tiny grain to as big as a marble or a golf ball. Unfortunately, these stones do not go away spontaneously. When you start experiencing severe pain and other symptoms, your doctor may recommend removing your gallbladder through surgery. The most common type of surgery done to remove a gallbladder is open surgery. But this article will discuss laparoscopic gallbladder removal, its benefits, and what you can expect as a patient.
What is laparoscopic gallbladder surgery?
Most advanced hospitals and health clinics today, like londonsurgicalgroup.co.uk perform laparoscopic procedures on a variety of medical conditions. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, otherwise known as cholecystectomy, uses several small incisions to remove the gallbladder. Using these small incisions during a Gallbladder surgery, London surgeons insert a laparoscope to guide the instruments in removing the gallbladder.
It is essential to keep in mind, however, that when opting for laparoscopic removal of Gallstones London surgeons may switch to open surgery when the condition requires it.
What can the patient expect?
As far as recovery is concerned, the patient may expect to stay in hospital for at least a couple of days. Nonetheless, laparoscopic gallbladder removal may at times be considered an outpatient procedure. The majority of people who undergo the procedure can resume normal activities within 7-10 days post-surgery. You will only feel soreness for one week, and the discomfort will gradually fade. Fortunately, your Gallbladder surgeon London practitioner will not recommend any particular diet or restrictions regarding the food you eat.
Why choose laparoscopic gallbladder removal?
Laparoscopic surgery is less-invasive; hence, patient recovery is also faster. It is the preferred method, especially when the patient is already experiencing extreme pain. However, it is still imperative for the surgeon to determine risk factors, which may cause surgery complications. In any other case where laparoscopic surgery is not applicable, the surgeon may opt for open surgery instead.
What are the risks associated with laparoscopic gallstone surgery?
Although laparoscopic surgery is a low-risk procedure, there are complications that may arise. Some of these are:
- Internal bleeding
- Risks associated with general anaesthesia
- Infection from the incisions
- Injury caused by surgical instruments
- Bile leaking into the patient’s abdominal cavity
- Accidental cuts to the liver
- Incomplete removal of gallstones
- Gallstones pushed into the bile duct
Should any of these complications arise, the gallstone surgeon London practitioner may perform repairs to address these complications.
Additional considerations
Before undergoing laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon will explain any risks in detail. More often than not, laparoscopy is recommended to help the patient get back on their feet much faster. Many medical conditions are treated through laparoscopic surgery. If you suffer from any of these, you may always consult your physician about the possibility of undergoing laparoscopy. With the significant advancements in the field of medicine, there is no reason why you should not take advantage of the benefits of laparoscopy.
