The removal of the gallbladder, by laparoscopy or by open surgery, is a common and very common operation consisting of the removal of this small pear-shaped organ. Learn more about what it is and why do it.
The gallbladder consists of a pear-shaped organ that we find located under the liver. Among its most important functions, it is responsible for storing bile, a liquid produced by the liver in order to digest fats, which is released into the small intestine to help both in the digestion process and for the proper absorption of fats. Fats. It is also responsible for improving the solubility of cholesterol, fats and vitamins, in turn improving their proper absorption.
However, certain conditions can influence the removal of the gallbladder, a medical-surgical procedure consisting of the removal of the gallbladder. Among the conditions that most commonly lead to this operation are the presence of stones in the gallbladder (which are medically known as gallstones), when there is inflammation of the gallbladder (which generally tends to be acute), or before the presence of gallbladder cancer.
Precisely among the conditions that most lead to removal is due to the presence of gallstones, which are formed when there are substances in the bile that tend to harden, and then over time they obstruct the flow of bile through the ducts. Biliary. As a result, it can cause pain, inflammation and, in more serious conditions, pancreatitis.
What is gallbladder removal?
The removal of the gallbladder, as its name suggests, consists of the surgical removal of the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ that we find located under the liver, and that among other important functions is responsible for storing bile to improve the digestion of fats.
Today it is a surgery that is performed laparoscopic ally, becoming in fact the most common way to remove the gallbladder. To do this, a laparoscope is used, which consists of a thin, lighted tube that allows the doctor to see inside the abdomen. General anesthesia is used, so the patient is sound asleep and does not feel any pain.
However, its removal by open surgery is also possible. It consists of the traditional surgical technique, consisting of an incision between 7 and 10 centimeters in the upper right part of the abdomen. Of course, it is a technique that is only left for cases in which, due to the specific characteristics of the patient, laparoscopic surgery cannot be performed (for example, due to previous surgeries).
Other techniques consist of transvaginal or Tran’s umbilical gallbladder removal, which means that natural orifices (such as the vagina or navel) are used for removal. It is characterized by being a very minimally invasive process, which does not leave visible scars on the patient.
How is laparoscopic gallbladder removal performed?
To perform the surgery, the surgeon makes 3 to 4 small incisions in the person’s abdomen. Through one of these incisions the laparoscope is inserted, while other medical instruments will be inserted through the other incisions in order to aid in the removal.
Once this is done, gas is pumped to expand the abdomen, which is very helpful to the surgeon by having more space to work. Then, with the help of the laparoscope, the surgeon removes the gallbladder.
During surgery, a cholangiogram may be performed, which is an x-ray useful for finding stones that may be outside the gallbladder so that they can be removed with the help of a special instrument.
What are the causes that lead to the need for gallbladder removal?
In most cases, it is mainly due to the presence of gallstones, which can cause blockage of the duct that drains the gallbladder, causing colic-type pain that is located in the middle to the upper right part of the abdomen. Among its most serious complications we find pancreatitis, which consists of inflammation of the pancreas and if it is not treated quickly it can cause serious damage to it.
Its removal is also carried out when the gallbladder does not work properly, causing, for example, the presence of certain related symptoms, such as indigestion or pain after eating in the middle or upper abdomen.
After gallbladder removal
After a gallbladder removal, it is very common for doubts to arise related to the hospital stay and recovery at home:
- Hospital stay: If you have had a laparoscopy to remove your gallbladder, generally discharge tends to be between 1 to 2 days after surgery, since the best results when it comes to recovery are achieved on all after laparoscopic surgery. There are even cases in which the patient returns home the same day. In the case of transvaginal/trans umbilical surgery, the stay is only 1 day, while in the case of open surgery, the hospital stay ranges from 2 to 5 days.
- Recovery at home after surgery : in case of laparoscopy in most cases people can carry out almost normal activity between 5 to 7 days after the intervention, and if it is a transvaginal / trans umbilical surgery ranges from 5 to 10 days. However, if it was open surgery, recovery usually takes up to 8 weeks.
