Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
What is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
Laparoscopic
cholecystectomy is a procedure involving the removal of the gallbladder using laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic refers to a minimally invasive surgery that uses the assistance of a video camera and several thin instruments to perform the procedure.
Small incisions about half an inch are made to allow ports, plastic tubes, through the incisions. The medical instruments and the camera are placed through the ports which allow us to the image from the video camera on a monitor to perform the procedure
without the necessity of creating a large incision.
If possible, this treatment will be done robotically. The benefits are less pain and less tissue manipulation. For more information, please visit davincisurgery.com.
Your Initial Consultation
Before your procedure, we will undergo necessary advising to assure a safe and successful procedure as well as answer any questions you may have. You will need to take several tests, which will include blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds of the gallbladder. We will ask you which medicines, vitamins and other supplements you are currently taking and we will ask you to stop taking aspirins and other specific drugs that can cause a higher risk of excess bleeding during your surgery and recovery period. You will also be advised to prepare your home to cater to your mobility and comfort as you recover.
The Surgical Procedure
The steps of the operation are as follows:
- Anesthesia is administered to put you to sleep throughout the entirety of the procedure
- Four very small incisions will be made to give access four ports, one for the camera and three for the instruments
- The medical instruments will be inserted through the ports that will allow us to delicately separate the gallbladder from the live and bile duct and ultimately remove it through one of the ports.
- Once the gallbladder is removed then we will close up the small incisions and the procedure is done.
Recovery Expectations:
The minimally invasive procedure allows a rather quick recovery period. Depending on how your body feels, you may go home the next day or even the same day of the procedure. You can return to normal activities within a week and resume work, driving, taking flights of stairs, and lifting light loads. In fact, we will encourage you to walk and avoid staying immobile for long periods of time. A wonderful benefit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is that the small incisions allow for smaller scarring in comparison to open surgery.