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Gall Bladder Removal – Common Medical Tourism Procedures

Diagnosis of gallbladder

Definition:

Gall Bladder removal or cholesystectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove a gall bladder as a treatment of gallstones. The gall bladder can be removed either through open or laparoscopic method. The laparoscopic method is more common and less invasive.

Why it needed?

The gall bladder is removed in conditions when there is a  malfunction of gall bladder(biliary dyskinesia) or multiple gall stones causing day to day life difficult. The  sign and symptoms of the patient suffering from gall bladder disease and gall stones includes

  • Severe pain in the upper right of abdomen after eating(epigastric pain)
  • Frequent attack of nausea and vomiting
  • Indigestion
  • Infection (cholesystitis)

Facts and figures

  • Gall stones are more common in women then men, almost double. They are more prevalent in middle aged, over weight women.
  • Approximately 10% of general population are having gallstones in their gall bladder
  • The gall bladder removal is one of the most common surgeries performed in modern days
  • The procedure of gall bladder removal was developed a century ago by a German surgeon named Carl Johann August Langenbuch
  • The laparoscopic method of gallbladder removal was developed by Dr. Eddi Joe Reddick in 1989 at United States.

Advantages

  • Relief from the symptoms of digestive disturbances with improved quality of life
  • Less hospital stay required  in laparoscopic cholesystectomy
  • Shorter recovery period
  • Medical tourist can expect to return back home within a week after the laparoscopic cholesystectomy

Disadvantages

  • In about 6% of cases the open surgery is required after laparoscopic surgery, as sometimes the surgeon misses some gall stones or they spill and remain in the abdominal cavity
  • The incidence of nausea and vomiting following the laparoscopic surgery are high

Risk and complications associated with gallbladder removal surgery includes

  • Reaction to anesthesia or medication
  • Breathing problems
  • Post operative pneumonia
  • Blood clots
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Injury to adjacent organ- bile duct, small intestine
  • Pancreatic inflammation

Preoperative preparation

  • Complete physical examination
  • Blood and urinalysis
  • X-ray chest, gall bladder and ECG
  • Visit to a physician and have a list of the medicines which are to be taken or needed to be stopped before surgery
  • Inform surgeon related to any habits of smoking or alcohol
  • Inform if you are planning for pregnancy
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Arrangement for leave from work, help at home, help with driving, and  for post operative rehabilitation
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery
  • Medical tourist is advised to select handicapped accessible hotel room near the hospital for post surgery recovery.

 

Post operative care

  • Usually most patients get discharged from the hospital on the same day after the laparoscopic surgery, where as most patients who undergo open surgery needs to stay in hospital for 5-7 days after the surgery.
  • After the open surgery patient’s vital sings are monitored for a day. They will ask to sit up in bed and gradually start walking with help of staff
  • First intravenous fluid will be given, then liquid diet and gradually the solid food will be introduced in diet. Patient may have nausea and vomiting with pain in abdomen. Medication will be given to controlled those symptoms

Dos, Don’ts and Precautions

  • Do follow the diet regimen properly
  • Do not drive for 2-3 days after the surgery
  • Do not lift heavy weight and perform strenuous activity

Most of the patients may resume a normal diet within a week after the surgery. Full recovery from the surgery can be expected within 4-6 after the surgery, and patient can resume the normal activity is this time.

 

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