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What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
"Cholecystectomy" is the complete removal of the gall-bladder together with any
gallstones contained within it. "Laparoscopy" is often called the "key-hole" method of performing this operation, as opposed to the conventional or "open" method, which requires a cut to be made under the ribs.
When would I need this operation?
If you have been found to have gallstones or a diseased gallbladder and you are having symptoms. The typical symptoms of gallbladder disease are abdominal pain, mainly upper and right-sided, under the right ribs. The pain can be very severe and the sufferer cannot find a comfortable position, often pacing around during an attack.
Attacks are generally provoked by fatty foods such as chips, cream or cheese.
There may be nausea or vomiting. During a severe attack, the patient may look as though they have yellow skin ("jaundice"). By avoiding fatty foods, patients tend to loose weight.
The diagnosis is usually made from the typical symptoms and an ultrasound scan. Many other types of scan are available which will lead to the same conclusion.
Gallstones may be diagnosed incidentally during the course of tests for other conditions. It is a point of debate as to whether these stones warrant an operation; you should discuss this with your specialist.
Is there any alternative to having an operation?
It is possible to dissolve some types of gallstones using medication. However, this can take a considerable period of time (over 1 year) and the medication frequently causes chronic diarrhoea. Furthermore, the gallstones may reform over time. The problem is that it is the gallbladder and not the gallstones that is diseased. Any method of treatment that leaves the gallbladder intact will inevitably be prone to recurrence. This includes stone destruction by external shock wave machines. For this reason, surgery is by far the most effective treatment option.
How is the operation performed?
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