A surgical procedure to remove a person’s gallbladder is called cholecystectomy. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located slightly below a person’s liver on the top right of their abdomen. The purpose of a gallbladder is to collect and store digestive fluid produced by the liver. The digestive fluid is called bile. The common reason to perform a cholecystectomy is to treat gallstones and any complications they cause. For instance, a person may undergo this type of surgical procedure if they have gallstones in their gallbladder, pancreas inflammation, gallstones in their bile duct or gallbladder inflammation.
Risks of Undergoing a Cholecystectomy Procedure
Like with every surgical procedure, cholecystectomy does have some risks that may cause complications. For instance, bile leak, infection, blood clots and heart problems are risks of a cholecystectomy. Infection, injury to structure like the bile duct and pneumonia are also complications that can arise because of undergoing cholecystectomy.
Preparing for a Cholecystectomy Procedure
When preparing for a cholecystectomy, a person will have to do several things such as drink a cleansing solution. This solution flushes out the stool located in the intestines. They must stop taking supplements and medications to prepare for the surgery. Another requirement is fasting the night prior to the cholecystectomy procedure.
What to Expect with a Cholecystectomy Procedure
An individual undergoing a cholecystectomy will have general anesthesia via a vein in their arm. Once they are asleep, a tube is inserted into their throat to assist with their breathing. The surgeon will perform the cholecystectomy using one of two surgical procedures franklin tn: laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires a surgeon to make approximately four tiny incisions into an individual’s abdomen. A tube is then inserted into the abdomen via one of the tiny incisions. This is so the surgeon can watch a video monitor as they remove their bladder.
An open cholecystectomy requires a surgeon to make approximately 6-inch cut in a person’s abdomen. The incision is made on the right side of the abdomen just below the ribs. Tissue and muscle are pulled back, so the surgeon can see the gallbladder and liver. The last step of the open cholecystectomy is to remove the gallbladder. The procedures take one to two hours to complete.
Results of a Cholecystectomy Procedure
Although not all cholecystectomy results are the same, people usually don’t experience digestive issues after the procedure. However, some people may occasionally experience loose stools after the procedure. It will stop over time. A person should let their doctor know of any changes such as new symptoms or bowel habits following their gallbladder procedure. The amount of time it takes to return to a person’s normal daily activities depends on their overall health and the specific procedure used. For instance, a person who undergoes a laparoscopic cholecystectomy may return to work in a matter of days. However, it may take at least a week to recover from an open cholecystectomy.