Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Gallbladder surgery is considered the best option for gallstone treatment. Most people can live a normal life without their gallbladder.

The surgery to remove the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy and is, usually performed through laparoscopic techniques which are minimally invasive as compared to open abdominal surgery which requires a long incision.

How is the laparoscopic cholecystectomy done?

Laparoscopic procedure for removal of the gall bladder typically involves four small cuts for the insertion of a laparoscope, a long fle

xible tube that has a small video camera on the end, and other small surgical instruments. The video camera provides magnified, high-definition images that the surgeon uses as guides in performing the procedure. To improve the visual field, the abdomen is inflated with CO2 gas. An intraoperative cholangiogram (x-ray test) is performed during surgery to check for stones within the common bile duct (CBD)and if present may be amendable to removal by common bile duct exploration (CBD exploration). The CBD stone, unable to retrieve during cholecystectomy may require endoscopic treatment (ERCP) after cholecystectomy.

What are the complications of Laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

The key hole procedure is a safe procedure, but like all operations, there are risks and complications associated with the procedure like bleeding, infection, injury to the bile duct, bile leak and damage to bowel and blood vessels.

What is recovery like after Laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

The procedure is performed as an overnight stay and patients can be discharged the next day. Most patients need simple analgesia to control pain after discharge. They are advised to avoid heavy weight lifting for 3-4 weeks.