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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
The usual treatment for symptomatic or complicated gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder. This is called cholecystectomy and is almost always performed under laparoscopic guidance. People with gallstones but without symptoms do not need to have there gallbladder removed. However, if you are symptomatic, having your gall bladder removed will only improve your health.
Most people with gallbladder disease are understandably
concerned about having their gallbladder removed. For the most
part, having your gallbladder removed will not affect your lifestyle
or diet. Once the gallbladder is removed bile flows directly from
the liver into the small intestine. At most, this causes mild diarrhea
for about 1% of patients.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is a one
hour outpatient operation performed with general anesthesia. The
surgery involves inserting a tube-like surgical scope into the
abdominal cavity through a 1 centimeter umbilical incision. Three
other 5 -10 mm incisions are used for operating instruments. Removing
the gall bladder involves closing its artery and cystic duct with
small clips and then dividing these structures. The gall bladder
is then teased off from its attachments to the liver and removed
through the umbilical incision.
Patients tend to return to their
normal routine in about a week. There are no set limitations during
this recovery period, but most patients experience some mild abdominal
wall soreness, daily exhaustion, and a decreased appetite. Patients
are asked to follow-up in clinic about one to two weeks after surgery.
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