Gallbladder removal is considered among the most frequently executed surgical procedures. Getting a gallbladder removal surgery certainly is the right course of action for the removal of gallstones because this medical procedure is performed with minimally invasive techniques. That results in minimal blood loss and pain. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the popularised name coined for this procedure.

ABOUT THE GALLBLADDER

Location - Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen or you can also say that it is situated right side of the abdomen below the liver. This is the area that is considered to be the right side of your abdomen that ranges from the bottom of your sternum (breastbone) to your navel. The gallbladder is an organ that has a vital role in our digestive system.

Function Of Gallbladder - Its function is to store bile juice which is mainly essential for the digestion of fat. When we consume our food, the gallbladder in our body responds through a contraction, or in other words, it squeezes, to send bile juice into your digestive tract. The gallbladder in the human body is considered to be a part of the body's biliary system, this system is contains your liver, gallbladder, and associated ducts. This system contributes in production, secretion, and storage of bile.

CAUSES OF GALLBLADDER PROBLEMS

• Gallstones are small shaped and hard in texture. They are mainly made up of cholesterol and bile salts and are formed in the gallbladder or in the bile duct. This condition typically occurs when your liver secrets cholesterol more than what the bile could originally dissolve ; the excess cholesterol increases in concentration and may form into crystals and eventually turn into gallstones.
• Women during pregnancy, people with age over 40 and overweight are more prone to forming gallstones. It is not known to this day that why some people form gallstones. There is also no means to prevent from forming.
• Another reason which causes gallstones is when your bile contains too much bilirubin. Due to some condition which causes your liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and certain blood disorders. The excess concentration of bilirubin that is formed due to the breakdown of RBC contributes to gallstone formation.
• Another reason is when your gallbladder doesn't get completely empty or often enough resulting in increased concentration of bile which gives rise to gallstones.
• There are two types of gallstones-

Cholesterol gallstones - It is the most commonly occurred gallstone. This type of gallstone is also known as cholesterol gallstone, it often appears yellow in color. These gallstones are made up of the cholesterol which the bile failed to dissolve but it also may contain other components.

Pigment gallstones - These gallstones are dark brown or black in colour, its form when your bile contains too much bilirubin.

HOW ARE THESE PROBLEMS ARE FOUND AND TREATED?

• The ultrasound technique is the most customary and reliable source for finding gallstones.
• There can be a few complex cases where other means are needed like X-ray tests such as a CT scan or a gallbladder nuclear medicine scan can be performed to evaluate gallbladder disease.
• Blood tests can also be used to diagnose gallbladder disorders. Blood tests may reveal sign of any prior infection, jaundice, pancreatitis, or any other disorders and complications caused by gallstones.
• Gallstones can't be left untreated as it doesn't go away on their own but still, it can be temporarily managed through dietary adjustments.
• Surgical removal is still considered the safest route in the treatment of gallstones and other such complications.

ABOUT GALLBLADDER SURGERY

There are many advantages of performing laparoscopic gallbladder removal and they are mentioned below-

• This surgical procedure requires minimal incision as only 4 small openings are needed in the abdomen.
• That results in patients having less postoperative pain and the recovery rate is faster when compared to open gallbladder surgery. Some patients can go home the same day due to the recovery rate.
• You can also expect less discomfort than the usual open surgeries. There are lesser scars to handle from the surgery.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

There are many advantages of laparoscopic surgery but it's not for everyone. This surgery is inappropriate for some patients who are suffering from rather a complex gallbladder disorder.

There are some complications involved in such cases. The risk of any potential complications are considerably less

However, some of the potential risks may be involved like Bleeding, Infection, Common bile duct injury, Minor shoulder pain (typically arise because of carbon dioxide gas) and also bile leakage. Although you can consult your physician about the situation. They will perform various diagnostic tests on you to confirm that laparoscopic gallbladder removal is the right choice for you or not.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC GALLBLADDER REMOVAL?

There are many preoperative procedures and evaluations that the suffering patient has to be prepared for both mentally and physically. Certain requirements have to be met by the patient before the surgery and that are as follows -

• Preoperative preparation may involve blood work, medical evaluation, and an EKG that depends on the patient's age and his/her current condition of health.
• After the surgeon reviews the patient and considers potential complications, the patient may require to provide written consent before the surgery.
• Eat nothing the night before your surgery. The patient should avoid eating or drinking anything up to 4 hours before the surgery is scheduled.

HOW THE LAPAROSCOPIC GALLBLADDER REMOVAL IS PERFORMED?

• For the procedure (under general anesthesia), our surgeon makes four small incisions in your abdomen. Incisions are made to guide a camera and light through a small tube for the operation.
• Your abdomen is inflated with a gas that makes the surgery easy as our surgeon has more space to work. We remove your gallbladder through the incisions.
• After the removal of your gallbladder, we use a special X-ray to check for problems in your bile duct. If we find any abnormalities such as gallstones then they are removed surgically.
• When our surgeon is satisfied with the results, we stitch up and bandage the incisions and there are chances that you can go home later on the same day your surgery is performed.