Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
What is cholecystitis?
Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gall bladder
caused by a blockage in the cystic duct usually due to a gallstone. The
gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ attached to the underside of
your liver in the upper part of your abdomen. The gallbladder stores
bile, a fluid produced by the liver. Bile aids digestion by breaking
down fats in the food you eat.
What causes cholecystitis?
Most gallstones are made primarily of cholesterol. Although it is unknown exactly why some people get gallstones, the phrase "fair, female, fat and fertile" summarises the major risk factors for developing gallstones. Gallstones have also been associated with:
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Multiple pregnancies
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Rapid weight gain
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Ageing
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Some ethnic groups
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Gender (more women than men get gallstones).
You can obtain more complete information from the Royal Australasian College of Surgery's patient education pamphlet 'Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery, available form your surgeon
Signs and Symptoms
If the gallstones remain free within the gallbladder, they may not cause major problems. If the gallstones move and block ducts, bile can back up, causing symptoms and leading to infections and diseases of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas.
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Severe pain in the upper abdomen. Acute attack often is precipitated by a large or fatty meal
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Nausea or vomiting
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Indigestion, belching, bloating and fatty food intolerance
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Low grade fever
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Although symptoms due to gallstones may go away, they tend to come back if the stones are left untreated. Such patients are more likely to develop complications
How is cholecystitis diagnosed?
Most common tests include:
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Physical examination
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Blood tests
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Ultrasound and/or CT Scan
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Abdominal X-Ray
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ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
How is cholecystitis treated?
Surgery
ERCP
Can be either diagnostic or therapeutic. A therapeutic ERCP is performed
in an attempt to remove common bile duct stones.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
This is the removal of the gallbladder using a "keyhole" technique.
Laparoscopic surgery is performed by making several incisions in the
abdomen. The gallbladder is removed through one of these incisions.
Laparoscopic surgery provides a quicker return to work and resuming of
normal activities with decreased pain for some patients.
Open cholecystectomy
If your surgeon believes that it is not safe to continue with a
laparoscopic cholecystectomy, your gallbladder will be removed through a
larger incision in the abdomen. This is known as open surgery or
laparotomy
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