Gall Stone Attack

If one suffers from a gall stone attack he has both options of Surgery and non-surgical methods.

Treatment options available for gall Baldder problems

Treatment depends on the size and location of the gallstones, but may include:

(i) Surgical removal of Gall Bladder: Gallstones that cause no symptoms, generally don’t need any medical treatment. In certain cases (such as abdominal surgery for other conditions), doctors may remove your gallbladder if you are at high risk of complications of gallstones.
In around 80 per cent of people with gallstone symptoms will need surgery. Surgeons may remove your entire gallbladder (cholecystectomy), or just the stones from bile ducts. 

Techniques to remove the gallbladder include:
    (a) laparoscopic cholecystectomy – ‘keyhole’ surgery. in India it is called as Doorbeen technique. In this the surgeon makes a number of small incisions into your abdomen, so that slender instruments can reach into the abdominal cavity.A tube blowing a gentle stream of carbon dioxide gas is inserted. This separates the abdominal wall from the underlying organs.The surgeon views the gallbladder on a TV monitor by using a tiny camera attached to the laparoscope. Special x-rays (cholangiograms) during the operation can check for gallstones wedged in the bile ducts.The ducts and artery that service the gallbladder are clipped shut. These clips are permanent.The gallbladder is cut free using either laser or electrocautery. The gallbladder, along with its load of gallstones, is pulled out of the body through one of the abdominal incisions.
The instruments and the carbon dioxide gas are removed from the abdominal cavity. The incisions are sutured (closed up) and covered with dressings.
Open gallbladder surgery. Hospitalization period upto 1-2 days.

(b) Open surgery (laparotomy) – the surgeon reaches the gallbladder through a wider abdominal incision. resty of the prcedure is same as above technique. You might need open surgery if you have scarring from prior operations or a bleeding disorder. Sometimes, an operation that starts out as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy turns into open surgery if the surgeon encounters unexpected difficulties, such as not being able to see the gallbladder properly. Hospitalization period upto 8-10 days.


What to discuss before surgery of Gall bladder

Before the operation, you need to discuss some things with your doctor or surgeon, including:
(a) your medical history, since some pre-existing conditions may influence decisions on surgery and anaesthetic
(b) any medications you take on a regular basis, including over-the-counter preparations
(c) Any bad reactions or side effects from any medications.


Steps for faster Recovery after gall Stone operation

(i) Take pain-relieving medications be encouraged 
(ii) Cough regularly to clear your lungs from the general anaesthetic 
(iii) Try to walk around as soon as you feel able stay overnight in hospital, if you had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy
(iv) Stay up to eight days in hospital, if you had open surgery.



I will add here some of the after effects after the gall bladder surgery./Possible complications of cholecystectomy

(i) Pain in your shoulder from the carbon dioxide gas
(ii) internal bleeding
(iii) infection, pneumonia
(iv) injury to nearby digestive organs, heart problems
(v) injury to the bile duct
(vi)leakage of bile into the abdominal cavity
(vii) injury to blood vessels.

What care to be exercised after after gallbladder surgery

(i) Rest as much as you can for around three to six days.
(ii) Avoid lifting heavy weight and physical exertion.
(iii) Expect your digestive system to take a few days to settle down. Common short-term problems include bloating, abdominal pains and changes to toilet habits. Most people recover within 8-10 days of laparoscopic surgery.

(iv) Go to your doctor between seven and 10 days after surgery to make sure all is well.