Gallbladder stone surgeries are more common than you think. When your gall bladder is attacked by various problems, surgery is commonly the way to go. The primary objective of such surgeries is to take out the gall bladder, which is a part of the digestive system.
Understanding the functions of Gallbladder
A gall bladder is a pear-shaped object located beneath the liver on the right side of the rib cage. Its main job is to store bile, which helps in digesting food. Bile helps with the absorption of nutrients from fats into the bloodstream by dissolving them.
Bile is created by the liver but stored in the gall bladder. The bile secreted by the cystic duct flows into the common bile duct and then the small intestine. It also helps in removing toxins from the body.
Common gallbladder problems
Gall bladder problems occur mainly in the flow of bile from the liver to the small intestines. The presence of either a gallstone or tumor restricts the flow, causing immense pain within the individual.
When it is not working properly or your bile is out of balance, it leads to the formation of hard substances. These are called gallstones which cause pain or biliary colic in the upper right abdomen. These vary in size from a grain of rice to a golf ball. The pain may last from 15 minutes to several hours.
Indications of gall bladder problems include fatty food intolerance, indigestion, bloating after eating, back pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and chills, pain under the right arm, and clay-colored stool. Other problems include infections and inflammation.
Gallstones and tumors don’t go away on their own. Gall bladder attacks are painful and are sometimes confused with heart attacks. Don’t ignore symptoms of a heart attack such as left arm pain and chest pain as possible gall bladder issues.
Before going for Gallbladder surgery
Tests checking whether it is a gall bladder issue include:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Blood tests like complete blood count, lipase, amylase
- Liver functioning tests
- Abdominal CT scan
- Radionuclide scan
The results of these tests determine whether you should go for surgery. This surgery is called a cholecystectomy and is performed often. 80% of patients with gallstones require surgery.
In some cases, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is done. This treats those stones that have fallen out of the gall bladder and into the bile duct. This may or may not be done before surgery, based on the condition of the gall bladder and size of stones.
Dietary restrictions
To prevent and lessen the occurrence of gall bladder attacks avoid fatty foods. Fried and greasy foods cause discomfort and put more stress on the organ. The secretions by the organ increase.
People who have allergies to certain foods or are lactose intolerant must avoid the same. Eating foods you are sensitive to or allergic to repeatedly leads to digestive problems. This results in pain in the gall bladder and other related problems.
Types of surgeries
When you go to a gallbladder stone surgery hospital in Gurgaon, there are two types of surgeries you can get. Both involve removing your gall bladder and the use of anesthesia.
Open cholecystectomy:
This surgery involves your surgeon creating 5-7 inch deep cuts or incisions in the belly to access the gall bladder. These are made based on test and imaging results. The surgeon retracts the liver for better exposure and locates the target. They separate the organ from the cystic duct and artery and pull it out through the incision. This type of surgery is for those who have bleeding disorders or severe gall bladder disease. This is also for patients who are overweight or in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
Also known as “keyhole surgery”, the surgeon doesn’t make a large hole in your belly. The best doctor for gallbladder surgery in Delhi NCR Gurgaon will skillfully make four small cuts through which the surgery is done. A thin, flexible tube containing a small light and camera is inserted in those incisions. The tube is 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter. Using the gall bladder is located and identified. Through the use of special tools, the cystic duct and artery are clipped and cut. Then, the gall bladder is dissected and removed from the ports.
Learn More About SILS – Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
What are the Possible Complications of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Stone Removal?
We can all live without our gall bladders. The liver can naturally store, secrete, and transport bile to the small intestine. Though these surgeries are safe, certain problems may arise:
- Bleeding
- Infections
- Bile leakage and damage to the bile duct
- Problems with anesthesia and damage to the bowels, intestines or blood vessels
- Blood clots or heart problems
- Pneumonia or breathing problems
There is a risk of the gallstones going to your stomach, resulting in post-cholecystectomy syndrome. The symptoms of this are similar to that of gall bladder disease.
These repercussions require a second surgery to eliminate. It is rare to do so however.
Recovery after surgery
After the surgery, patients are slowly awakened and shifted to a post-anesthesia care unit for monitoring. During this time, the patient is under close surveillance to see major changes in their vital signs, signs of pain, or complications in surgery. The length of recovery time depends on the time of surgery you received.
If you have an open gall bladder stone removal surgery you need to stay in the hospital a few days after. Patients require 6 to 8 weeks to heal their bodies completely.
Laparoscopy doesn’t take as much time as open surgery does. Patients feel less pain and heal faster after this surgery. Most patients are allowed to go home after 24 hours and return to daily activities after a week or two.
The surgical incisions can be cleaned with soap and water. If the adhesive bandages fall off or there is drainage or redness, you should go back to the doctor immediately.
The best hospital in Delhi NCR for gallbladder stone will ensure that you are informed completely about the procedure. Do not ignore abdominal pain and seek medical attention as soon as you feel the same.
