Laparoscopic Surgery for Gallstones: Quick and Easy Recovery

Overview

The gallbladder is a small, hollow organ that stores bile for digesting fat in the small intestine. Gallbladder removal is a commonly performed surgical procedure for treating various gallbladder diseases. It is possible to live a healthy life after having the gallbladder removed. 

With advancements in clinical technology, minimally invasive procedures of treatment have been developed that can help excise organs and tissues with minimal incision. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive technique used for removing the gallbladder surgically.

Why is a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Done?

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure involving gallbladder removal that is used to treat gallstones and the complications they can cause. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery uses specialised tools to make small incisions to access the gallbladder and remove it through the incision. Cholecystectomy procedures can also be performed by conventional open surgery.  

A cholecystectomy may be recommended to a patient if they have:

• Gallstones in the gallbladder that are causing symptoms called cholelithiasis
• Inflammation of the gallbladder, called cholecystitis
• A structural defect in the gallbladder rendering improper drainage of bile, which is called biliary dyskinesia
• Blockage in the common bile duct due to gallstones, called choledocholithiasis
• Pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas due to gallbladder 

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is preferred over open cholecystectomy as it can allow surgeons to operate upon a person by making smaller incisions on the skin. Smaller incisions reduce the risk of infection and bleeding significantly while allowing faster recovery and healing.

How to Prepare for Cholecystectomy Surgery?

Before the laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, also known as laptop cholecystectomy, is scheduled, patients are tested for fitness to ensure they’re healthy enough to undergo laptop cholecystectomy. The treating doctor may recommend:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests of the gallbladder 
• A complete physical examination of the patient

They may also review the patient’s medical history. It’s important to let the doctor know about any supplements or medications the patient takes. The patient may be required to stop taking any medications or alter the doses before and after the surgery. It is also important to inform the doctor if the patient is pregnant. 

The doctor may communicate any specific preparatory needs to the patient. These may include eating and drinking restrictions for at least six hours or more before the surgery.

Procedure Details: Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Before the Procedure

A cholecystectomy procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. This ensures that the patient is relaxed and asleep throughout the procedure and doesn’t feel pain. The anaesthesia medicines may be administered through a vein in the arm. Once the anaesthesia kicks in, the healthcare team connects the patient to a breathing tube, which is constantly monitored throughout the procedure.

During the Procedure

Since laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery, the surgeons will make small incisions in the abdomen. The surgery is guided by a lighter tube with a camera mounted on top that relays real-time pictures of the internal structures to the surgeons, allowing them to view the organs. They also insert surgical tools through the other incisions to remove the gallbladder.

After the gallbladder has been removed, surgeons may use a special X-ray to look for possible gallstones and problems in the bile ducts. This technique is called intraoperative cholangiography. If any gallstones are found, they’re removed simultaneously. 

Subsequently, the incisions are stitched up and bandaged. After the surgery, the patient is taken to the recovery room to recover from the anaesthesia. They’re further monitored closely for any complications. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery lasts about an hour or two. 

After the Procedure 

Most people go home the same day or the next day of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. This is one of the most significant advantages of using minimally invasive procedures for gallbladder removal as opposed to several days of hospital stay after an open cholecystectomy. Once the patient goes home, they can eat and drink normally, without pain, and walk without help. Many patients wonder how long gallbladder surgery recovery takes after a laparoscopic procedure. For most patients without any complications, it takes about two weeks to recover fully from it. 

Long-term Effects of Gallbladder Removal 

In most cases, patients only experience short-term side effects of having their gallbladder removed. Such temporary side effects may include:

• Diarrhoea: This can occur due to the digestive system adjusting to the new changes in its structure.
• Constipation: This may be a side effect of medicines prescribed for recovery.
• Nausea: This can also be a side effect of pain-relieving medications.
• Gas and gas pain: This may be a side effect of the gas used to inflate the stomach during the procedure. 

These symptoms may extend to become long-term, along with additional symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Most people have one or a few of these, but not all. Such long-lasting symptoms after cholecystectomy are termed post-cholecystectomy syndrome. While such short-term effects can be managed with help from healthcare providers, long-term side effects may be treated on a case-by-case basis. 

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Complications

Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is considered to be safe as it is a minimally invasive procedure, there is still a chance of complications. The rate of complications from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery may vary from 0.5 to 6 percent. However, the doctors ensure that a patient is suitable for the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery by performing a complete physical checkup, and review the patient’s medical history before the procedure. This helps ensure that the risk of complications is minimal.

The general risks associated with the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery include:

• allergic or adverse reaction to anaesthesia or other drugs
• bleeding
• blood clots
• damage to blood vessels
• heart problems, such as a rapid heart rate
• infection
• injury to the bile duct, liver, or small intestine
• injury to nearby blood vessels, causing excessive bleeding 
• pancreatitis
• bile reflux
• bile duct injury, causing leakage of bile

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy at Omni Hospitals

People undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery at Omni Hospitals every year obtain successful results thanks to our use of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical equipment and facilities. Minimally invasive laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery ensures optimal recovery with minimal complications or side effects. 

We continue to recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery as an elective procedure to treat persistent gallbladder diseases, such as gallstones and bile duct blockage. Such diseases pose a significant health risk to the patients than removing the gallbladder does. With advanced diagnostic tools and cutting-edge surgical techniques, we deliver world-class surgical care for a patient with minimal complications. Consider consulting our gastrointestinal surgeons with acute clinical acumen to help you address your gallbladder and other concerns with the digestive system with supreme care and expertise.

This blog has been verified by Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi, Gastrointestinal Surgeon, General, Bariatric & Minimal Access Surgeon.