If your doctor has told you that you need cholecystomy, also known as gallbladder removal surgery, one of the best options is laparoscopy. Thanks to advancements in technology, the procedure can be done using the DaVinci robot.
When you suffer from gallbladder problems, you may be a good candidate for gallbladder surgery if you suffer from certain medical problems. These include: your gallbladder attack hasn’t settled after 12 hours, you have additional complications such as pancreatitis or jaundice, you have experienced recurrent vomiting or pain or if you suffer from cholangitis.
There are definite benefits of laparoscopic gallbladder surgery that you should know about if you need your gallbladder removed. They are as follows:
- The procedure is minimally invasive, with considerably smaller surgical incisions made and therefore, smaller scars afterward
- There is reduced blood loss during this type of surgery
- You experience less pain after the surgery
- Your hospital stay is shorter than when you have other types of gallbladder surgery procedures
- You will have a lesser chance of infection following a laparoscopy
- You can more quickly return to your normal everyday activities
At current, laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is the preferred procedure for individuals who need a cholecystectomy. However, there is one instance in which the procedure is not recommended to certain patients. In general, the only reason it would not be the recommended procedure is if the patient suffers from allergies and has a higher risk of an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. On the flip side, if a patient is a pregnant woman in the first trimester of her pregnancy, the procedure is much safer and can be performed.
Of course, just like any other surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with laparoscopy for gallbladder surgery. Complications include bleeding and infection, which is rare, the need for standard abdominal surgery, nausea and vomiting following surgery, intestinal injury or injury to blood vessels or bile ducts and more rarely, inability to remove the gallbladder safely using the laparoscopic procedure.
Overall, however, laparoscopy for gallbladder removal surgery is the preferred procedure for many patients because of the benefits. If you need gallbladder surgery, discuss your options with your doctor.