Gallstones
develop in the gallbladder. Usually gallbladder resides in the
right upper abdomen near the rib cage. The function of
gallbladder is to concentrate bile produced by liver and
store it for the next meal. Gallstones
produce obstruction of the neck of the gallbladder causing
distention of the gall bladder. Due to the gallstone
the gall bladder can get
infected and at times it becomes gangrenous and may even
perforate in abdominal cavity causing serious life threatening
infection. The gallstones may also travel down to common bile
duct producing obstructive jaundice and gallstone
pancreatitis. These are some of the complications of
gallstones. Signs
and symptoms of gallstones include right upper abdominal
pain. The pain may also be experienced near the right upper
back and shoulder blade. The pain typically comes up
after eating a fatty meal. The gallstones are
identified by Ultrasound examination of abdomen. Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy: Best treatment for gallstones is
Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder when identified and before complications
of gallstones occur. This is
outpatient surgical procedure. Patients typically go home
same day after surgery. For
years surgeons like myself took their patient to surgery
made a 6 to 9 inch incision in the right upper abdomen and
took the gallbladder out. This required the patient to stay
in the hospital for 3 to 4 days and of the work for 6 weeks
for recuperation. For
past 19 years I have used this technique of Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy. Usually I would make an incision below or
above the umbilicus and achieve pneumoperitoneum. Make 3
more small incisions to work on the gall bladder and remove
the gall bladder via the umbilical incision. This requires
patient to stay in the hospital for 6 hours and usually be
able to go back to work in 5 to 10 days. For more information
click
here. If
you suspect that you or someone you know have gallstones
then make an appointment with Dr. Pandya in our office by
calling (559) 782 8533 for further evaluation and management
or call your doctor for a referral. If
you have any question regarding gallstones then call (559)
782 8533 to make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. |
