Table of Contents:
- What is gallbladder surgery?
- Why is it performed?
- Risks of the surgery
- Preparation
- Alternatives
- Post-procedure care
What is gallbladder surgery?
Gallbladder surgery is the surgical procedure performed to remove the gallbladder, an organ located in the lower part of the liver that serves as a reservoir for bile.
The name of the procedure is cholecystectomy and it is a surgery performed under general anesthesia and usually laparoscopically.
The time of the intervention ranges from 30 to 90 minutes, but in patients who have already been operated previously, the surgery may be more difficult and take longer.
Why is gallbladder surgery performed?
Gallbladder surgery is indicated when the patient presents pain or symptoms caused by the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
What are the risks of surgery?
Any intervention presents certain risks and, although cholecystectomy is a very standardized surgery with low risk, it is convenient to know the complications that can appear derived from this surgery:
- Abdominal pain.
- Abdominal distension.
- Gas and diarrhea.
- Wound or surgical site infection.
- Postoperative hemorrhage.
- Bile leakage from the bile duct or liver.
Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder.
Preparing for gallbladder surgery
Before gallbladder surgery, the patient must undergo tests to determine his or her state of health and follow a very specific diet during the days prior to surgery.
Is there any alternative to surgery?
There is currently no effective non-surgical treatment for cholelithiasis. Surgery is indicated in those patients who suffer symptoms due to stones inside the gallbladder, but when a stone comes out of the gallbladder and moves towards the main biliary tract, it will be necessary to remove it endoscopically (ERCP) before surgery.
Stones inside the gallbladder are inaccessible endoscopically and laparoscopic surgery is necessary to remove the gallbladder with the stones.
Care after gallbladder surgery
Recovery after gallbladder surgery will depend on the surgical technique used. It usually consists of a hospital stay of 2 to 4 days in case of open surgery, and one day in case of laparoscopy and transvaginal/transumbilical removal.
After the patient recovers at home, there is a postoperative recovery at home that will range between 4 and 8 weeks in the first case, between 10 and 12 days in the second case and between 5 and 10 days in the last case.
During recovery, the patient should avoid physical exertion for 3-4 weeks and once the stitches are removed, he/she will be able to lead a normal life. There is no need to follow a specific diet after surgery, but it is recommended to avoid heavy meals rich in fat.