Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Pre-Operative preparation:
As for general anaesthesia. In addition it is usual to check some blood tests including checking your blood group. In patients with any suggestion of jaundice further investigations to determine if gall stones are within the common bile duct may be required
Procedure:
The majority of gall bladder operations are performed laparoscopically (Key hole surgery). In this case the abdominal cavity in inflated with gas (carbon dioxide) and 4 small incisions are made in the abdominal wall to allow the passage of a camera and instruments necessary to mobilise the gallbladder and clip the necessary vessels. The gall bladder is removed through the incision at the umbilicus and this may have to be enlarged if there are large gallstones.
If there is any question that some gallstones are in the bile duct it is usual to perform an operative cholangiogram at the time of surgery. This involves injecting dye into the bile duct and taking x-rays.
Anaesthesia:
General
Post Operative Care:
Patients can start eating after recovery from anaesthesia. As with many intra-abdominal laparoscopic procedures shoulder tip pain may be a problem over the initial post-operative period. This is due to the gas used to inflate the abdominal cavity. Patients are generally mobile within the first 24 hours but it is likely to be 3 weeks before there is 100% return to normal daily activities.
OPC Codes:
J1830 Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
J1880 Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with operative cholangiogram
