Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
The laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive keyhole surgery, is the most preferred method used for removing the gallbladder. Patients with gallstones usually need to undergo a cholecystectomy to prevent development of any severe complications. Patients affected by large gallbladder polyps also need to have this surgery because of the chances of developing cancer of the gallbladder.
Gallbladder and Its Functions
The gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the upper abdomen underneath your liver, collects and concentrates bile (a digestive liquid) secreted by the liver. After you eat, the digestive liquid is released by the liver and gets stored in the gallbladder, helping with digestion. Bile travels through the tapered tubular channels or bile ducts before entering the small bowel.
Gallbladder Stones
Gallbladder stones or simply gallstones are made from substances, including cholesterol and bile pigments, which are found in bile. Gallstones can vary in size, appearing as small as a grain of sand to as big as a golf ball. It is not known why some patients have gallstones. It is more likely seen in people who are overweight or trying to shed those extra pounds rapidly.
Gallstones occurring in the gallbladder may cause Acute Cholecystitis, a condition that leads to inflammation of the gallbladder. It causes symptoms like abdominal pain, indigestion, vomiting, and occasionally fever.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallbladder Disease
The most common test used for finding gallstones is an ultrasound, but complex investigations such as endoscopic ultrasound or MRCP may be used. Dr. Mainak Pal, one of the best laparoscopic cholecystectomy doctors in Kolkata, recommends doing a blood test to find out whether the patient’s liver is functioning normally.
Gallstones do not get resolved on their own. The symptoms will eventually recur unless the affected gallbladder is removed. And removal of the gall bladder is the only way of cure from this condition.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery in Kolkata is the time-tested and safest treatment when it comes to curing gallbladder disease.
What happens if you do not treat the disease
The chance of recurrent pain abdomen will significantly reduce your quality of life. You may require repeated hospitalization for that. It also may get complicate the situation further like development of jaundice, bile duct stones and cholangitis (infection of obstructed bile duct), pancreatitis and gall stone ileus(intestinal obstruction due to stone eroding through the intestine). All these complications are potentially life threatening. Moreover it has been seen that there is a strong association between gall stone and gall bladder cancer in the long run.
How is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Done
The laparoscopic gallbladder surgery specialist inserts a laparoscope through a keyhole made in your belly button. Another three miniature puncture wounds are made so that surgical instruments can be introduced. The surgeon then fills the abdomen with carbon dioxide to have space needed for performing the surgery.
In about 3-5 percent of the cases, the gallbladder cannot be safely removed using laparoscopic techniques and is converted to the traditional open surgery.