What is the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped pouch in the upper right
part of your abdomen which stores the bile produced by the liver.
Bile is a digestive fluid that helps to break down fatty food, and
it is carried from the gallbladder to the intestine through a tube
called the bile duct.
If the bile in the gallbladder becomes too concentrated then
small hard Gallstones can develop which can block the bile
duct. This can cause abdominal pain, nausea and fever and, if
these symptoms persist, removal of the gallbladder is often
required.
The body can function well without a gallbladder.
There are two ways to remove the gallbladder either through
'keyhole' surgery which is usually carried out as a day case or
'open' surgery which will require an overnight stay. Your
surgeon will discuss the most suitable method with you
What will this involve?
Keyhole gallstone removal is performed under general anaesthetic
and takes 60 to 90 minutes. Your surgeon will make two or
three small cuts on your skin, above, or just below, your navel.
Using a hollow needle, carbon dioxide gas is the pumped into the
abdomen to create more room for your surgeon to work in and makes
it easier to see the internal organs.
The laparoscope (a long, thin telescope with a light and camera
lens at the tip) is then passed through one of the cuts. Your
surgeon will examine the internal organs by looking directly
through the laparoscope, or at pictures it sends to a video
screen.
Specially designed instruments are passed through the other cuts
to help move the internal structures so that your surgeon can see
around them and to cut and remove the gall bladder.
Afterwards, the instruments are removed and the gas is allowed
to escape through the laparoscope. The skin cuts are then
closed with dissolvable stitches and covered with a
dressing.
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When will I recover?
After the operation you are likely to feel some pain in the
abdomen which usually disappears within a day or two. You are
likely to stay in hospital overnight and your surgeon and nurses
will advise you about how to speed your recovery once you are
discharged.
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What risks should I know about?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly performed and generally
safe. For most people, the benefits in terms of improved symptoms
are much greater than the disadvantages. However, all surgery
carries an element of risk.
Specific complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are
uncommon but can include accidental damage to other organs in the
abdomen (such as the bile duct, bowel, bladder, liver or major
blood vessels) requiring further surgery to repair the
damage.
The chance of complications depends on the exact type of
operation you are having and other factors such as your general
health. Ask your surgeon to explain in more detail how any risks
apply to you.
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Circle care
Gallbladder removal surgery is carried out at CircleBath where
our specialist surgeons are available and have the expertise to get
the best possible results. You can be sure of state of the
art facilities and the best possible care to get you back to normal
as soon as possible.
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