The gallbladder is a small organ located in the upper abdomen. It holds many other organs, including the stomach, and performs the function of collecting and storing a liquid called bile that helps the body break down food. Over time, small, hard deposits called gallstones can gather in the gallbladder, leading to health problems. The doctors may recommend a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove it.
What is Cholecystectomy?
A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. Compared to a traditional open surgery, it is a minimally invasive procedure with a short downtime, leading to easy recovery. The surgery involves making small incisions of a half-inch or even less into the problematic area to minimise trauma, pain, and recovery time. In some cases, the surgeon may make a larger incision, depending on the size of your stones. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is far more common and safe than other procedures.
What are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a popular gallbladder removal surgery in Singapore and other parts of the world because of the following reasons:
- Compared to traditional surgery, the procedure is minimally invasive and uses smaller surgical incisions.
- The smaller incisions created do not leave visible scars on the body.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy doesn’t cause major blood loss.
- After the surgery, you feel less pain which also cuts down the recovery time.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy ensures that your hospital stay is shorter so you can resume your daily activities.
- Nowadays, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is available in a majority of hospitals and healthcare centres. You can opt for it without breaking the bank.
How Do I Know If I Need Surgery to Remove my Gallbladder?
The most common and recognizable symptom of a diseased gallbladder is biliary colic – a pattern of pain in the upper right abdomen. It occurs in frequent episodes and makes you nauseated. Biliary colic is an early sign of gallbladder disease and the condition keeps getting worse over time.
Other signs that may require surgery to remove the gallbladder include the following:
- Swollen abdomen that is tender to touch
- Jaundice
- Large gallbladder polyps ruled out in an ultrasound
- Inflammation in the gallbladder
- Inflammation in the pancreas
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
How is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Performed?
Upon experiencing the above signs and symptoms, the healthcare provider will examine you and conduct important tests to diagnose the cause. If you qualify for the procedure, they will schedule a date to perform the same.
- The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and takes an hour to complete.
- After administering anaesthesia, the surgeon will make small cuts in your abdomen to insert tubes.
- A tube with a tiny camera will be placed through which the surgeon will watch a video monitor while using tools inserted through the other incisions to remove the gallbladder.
- If they are worried about possible gallstones or other problems, they may also use an imaging test like an X-ray or ultrasound.
- Afterward, they will close the incision and take you to the recovery area.
You will be allowed to go home on the day of the surgery. If required, you can stay overnight in the hospital.
Does Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Cause Pain?
It is normal to feel some pain after the surgery. However, the degree of the pain is not very severe. You may experience pain in areas like the site of the incisions, abdomen, and sometimes in your shoulders caused because of the air put into your abdomen during the operation. The pain subsides within 24-48 hours of the surgery.
How Risky is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not a risky procedure. However, some complications may arise, such as bleeding, infection of the surgical site, blood clot in the leg, blood clot in the lung, hernia on the site of the scar, chest infection, etc. It is advisable to listen to the instructions of your doctor after the surgery so that the recovery phase is smooth. It saves you from the complications of the surgery.
Takeaway
Each year, hundreds of people go through successful Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications or side effects. This minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgery in Singapore makes recovery easier than before. Reach out to your doctor upon experiencing any sign of a diseased gallbladder.
