July 31, 2010

Gallbladder Removal

Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. In brief, gall bladder removal is medically known as cholecystectomy. Open cholecystectomy is a common medical method of treating gallstones. This procedure is recommended for patients of gallstones, where the attempts to break up the stones into fragments or dissolve them with medications or treat them with ultrasound have failed. Another form of advanced cholecystectomy, also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is often performed by surgeons.

Open cholecystectomy is a traditional abdominal surgery. The gallbladder is removed through a single, large incision of four to seven inches in this Neanderthal method of treating gallstones. It takes patients a few weeks to have a complete recovery. The duration of the surgery is rather long. It lasts for one to two hours. The surgeon makes the incision between the end of the breastbone and the belly button or under the boundary of the right rib cage.

Several Physical Conditions That Necessitates The Removal Of Gallbladder through an open cholecystectomy

Severe inflammation or infection of the gallbladder or the bile duct
Peritonitis; that is inflammation along the lining of the abdomen
Portal hypertension that is the liver affected with high pressure in the blood vessels
Severe bleeding disorder that is due to the intake of anti-blood clotting medicines (anticoagulants)
Scar tissue that results from abdominal surgeries
Abnormal anatomy in the abdomen

Complications That May Develop From An Open Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Excessive bleeding
Infection at the place of incision
Injury to the bile duct due to a surgical wound
Risks from intense anesthesia
Injury to the intestines, live or major blood vessels in the abdomen
Post-cholecystectomy syndrome that is abdominal symptoms like pain, gas, bloating or diarrhea
Blood clotting or pneumonia

Disadvantage Of Open Cholecystectomy

After the execution of the surgery for the removal of the gallbladder, bile from the liver flows into the small intestine through the common bile duct. Bile can no longer be stored after the gallbladder has been removed. In case of many people, it has a little effect on their digestive system.

Replacement Of Open Gallbladder Surgery By Laparoscopic Surgery

Nowadays laparoscopic cholecystectomy is preferred to open cholecystectomy due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the former in treating gallstones. A patient is required to stay in hospital longer in case of open gallbladder surgery than in case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The period of recovery is shorter after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery than after open cholecystectomy. Open gallbladder surgery leaves a larger scar than laparoscopic surgery.

How Long Does It Take To Recover?

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to recover from open cholecystectomy and about 3 weeks from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. You may return to work after your recovery but there would be some restrictions regarding physical exhaustion. You could experience incisional pain after your surgery but the excruciating pain from gallstones or gallbladder disease will cease. Some patients experience trouble in digesting fatty foods in the first month of surgery but it normalizes within a couple of months.

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