Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal

Overview

Gallbladder removal is among the common surgical procedures carried out in order to get rid of the stones, which create problems in it. These are often removed using the minimally invasive method or the laparoscopic option often termed as “Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy”. The purpose of this organ – gallbladder is to collect bile (digestive liquid), which is produced by liver. Once we eat, bile is released and moved to gallbladder, which expedites the process of digestion. Though the removal of the gallbladder due to the presence of gallstone in it hampers the digestion process to some extent but do not act impairment to it. Now, let us dig in deep into this procedure as under: 

How is the gallbladder removed?

The process of gallbladder removal is carried out with the laparoscopic procedure, wherein the surgeon inserts the camera inside the abdomen area and gets the view of the inside. If there are too many stones in the gallbladder, he or she would remove them with the special procedure known as ERCP, which will therefore becomes an open procedure for getting rid of the stones. Hence the surgery though starts with a laparoscopic approach turns out to be an open surgical option, which help in removing not just the gallstones but also the gallbladder, which are present in it.    

How is a laparoscope used to remove the gallbladder?

The laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery starts with giving the patient general anaesthesia, which follows by making certain small size incisions over the abdomen area. The surgeon then inflates the abdomen using the carbon dioxide or air in order to see things clearly. The surgeon is then seen inserting a light video camera often via the incision made near the belly button. Before you find the surgeon removing the gallbladder, the surgeon employs a specialised kind of X ray procedure known as intraoperative cholangiography, which simply showcases the complete anatomy of your bile ducts. However, 50 percent of these surgeries are carried out using the open method, which may need big size incision. This is only done when too many stones are present in the gallbladder and are unable to get away from the laparoscopic procedure. 

What are the benefits of this type of surgery?

·         The use of laparoscopic gallbladder removal procedure come along with a number of benefits, which is the basic reason why more and more surgeons are seen opting the same. Some of these benefits are as under:

·         The surgery needs just few small incisions rather than the 5-7 incisions as seen in the open surgery over the abdomen area.

·         The patients face very less amount of pain after the surgery

·         The recovery after the surgery is usually faster after this procedure, which is not the case with the open option.

·         Generally, you will find all the patients leaving home the same day after the surgery and soon resume to their daily chores.

What is the Cost of Laparoscopic Gallbladder surgery?

The cost of the Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery in India is much less as compared to the US, which give enough reasons to the medical tourists for this surgery. If you check at the figures, it can cost you around 1600-2000 dollars, which may be much higher in the US ranging from 5000 to 8000 dollars depending upon the condition and other complications found in the surgery. However, the fact of the matter is, the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery in India is very much cost effective, which is not the case in developed nations. 

Conclusion

For treating the gallstones, generally the gallbladder is removed. One of the best ways to treat this ailment is via laparoscopic procedure. This comes along with a number of benefits as compared to the open ones. However, at times due to complications in the gallstone, the surgeon has to choose the open procedure as well.