The gallbladder is a tiny, pear-shaped organ placed on the right side of the belly beneath the liver. The fundamental function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.The hepatic ducts transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder. When we eat something, especially something fatty, the gallbladder contracts and discharges bile into the small intestine via the common bile duct. Bile aids fat digestion and absorption by breaking it down into smaller molecules.
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A cholecystectomy surgery is an operation that removes the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a tiny, pear-shaped organ that stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. The most common reason for a cholecystectomy is to address gallbladder problems including gallstones, inflammation (cholecystitis), or other conditions that cause pain and consequences.
Preoperative Evaluation: Prior to surgery, you will be evaluated thoroughly, which may involve a physical examination, a review of your medical history, blood tests, imaging examinations (such as an ultrasound or CT scan), and maybe a meeting with a gastroenterologist or a hepatobiliary surgeon. These evaluations help to confirm the diagnosis and establish the best course of treatment.
Anaesthesia: On the day of the surgery, general anaesthesia will be delivered to keep you sleeping and pain-free. This permits the surgeon to execute the surgery in a more comfortable manner.
Cholecystectomy can be accomplished using either open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Based on factors such as the severity of the problem, your medical history, and their skill, the surgeon will determine the best method.
a. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Laparoscopic surgery involves making numerous small incisions in the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to make room for the surgeon to work. Through the incisions, a laparoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera and light source) and other specialised surgical equipment are inserted. The surgeon will then use a monitor to visualise the gallbladder before removing it.
b. Open Cholecystectomy: A single bigger incision is made in the upper abdomen, often below the right rib cage, during open surgery. Through this incision, the surgeon gains direct access to and removes the gallbladder.
Gallbladder removal: Once the gallbladder has been accessed, the surgeon delicately disconnects it from the liver and the bile duct. The gallbladder is then placed in a specimen bag and extracted through one of the small incisions during laparoscopic surgery. The gallbladder is removed straight through the larger incision during open surgery.
Closure: After the gallbladder is removed, the wounds are closed with sutures or staples. Absorbable sutures or adhesive strips may be utilized in some circumstances, reducing the need for removal afterwards.
Recovery: After the procedure, you will be brought to a recovery area where you will be observed while you wake up from anesthesia. Depending on the surgical procedure and individual circumstances, the length of the hospital stay can vary. In general, laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires less hospitalization than open cholecystectomy. Pain relievers, antibiotics, and other therapies will be supplied.
Postoperative Process: Following cholecystectomy, you will be given postoperative instructions, including wound care, pain management, and nutritional advice. It is critical to carefully follow these directions and to attend any scheduled follow-up consultations with your surgeon.
There are several non-surgical therapy alternatives available if you have gallbladder-related difficulties but would rather not have surgery. It's crucial to remember that the efficiency of various therapies varies depending on the precise kind and gravity of your gallbladder issue. It's always advisable to speak with a healthcare professional to find the best course of action for your case. Here are a few alternatives to surgery:
Medication: In some circumstances, a doctor may recommend medication to assist manage symptoms and dissolve particular kinds of gallstones. A drug called ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is frequently used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones. The stones may, however, take several months or more to disintegrate, and once the medicine is stopped, recurrence is conceivable.
Oral dissolution therapy is a non-surgical method used in gallstone dissolving therapy. It entails taking medication that gradually removes some forms of gallstones. Small cholesterol stones are often the only ones that can benefit from this treatment; larger stones may not.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): ESWL employs shock waves to split gallstones into smaller pieces so they can move through the bile ducts. It is a non-invasive form of treatment. However, ESWL often only works for tiny stones made of cholesterol.
Endoscopic methods can be used to remove gallstones from bile ducts, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy. In order to access the gallbladder and bile ducts, these procedures entail introducing a flexible tube with a camera and specialised equipment via the mouth and into the digestive tract.
Specialists for Cholecystectomy:
