GALL BLADDER DISEASE
The most common cause....STONES (gallstones, cholecystolithiases):
Presence of stones in the gallbladder is a common abdominal condition in people of all races and regions in the whole world. It afflicts mostly adults and its discovery dates back when Egyptian mummies were exhumed and found to harbor gallstones.
The gallstones usually develop symptoms. A good l7% of gallstones are without symptoms though.
However, when early symptoms develop like early satiety, feeling of gassiness or bloatedness followed by eructations or burping, specially after partaking of fatty-foods, surgical removal is advised. Conservative treatment, like avoiding fatty foods, dissolution with drugs, fragmentation with ultrasound (extracorporeal lithothripsy) are now of limited use.
One must not wait for abdominal pains (biliary pain); for pain is considered an acute late symptom and complications may have ensued affecting the liver and the pancreas. Once demonstrated by Ultrasound or X-ray studies, surgical removal is advised.
A recent technique started only about l2 years ago, LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, is now the treatment of choice in 95% of all cases, in the United States, most Western Countries and most of developed and developing countries, which includes the PHILIPPINES.
The distinct advantages of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy versus the Traditional Open Cholecystectomy are :
(l) Only 3 or 4 tiny holes are made (no abdominal incision),
(2) Average of 35 to 60 minutes operating time in most cases,
(3) Very negligible post-operative pain and patient can eat after waking up from the anesthesia, and
(4) The patient can return to his or her usual work in 2 to 3 days without restrictions.
It is explained to the patient that Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is offered as the FIRST OPTION. In case of technical difficulties due to variations or anomalies in the anatomy of the gallbladder then conversion to Open Cholecystectomy is second option.
For more information, consult your hepatobiliary specialist.
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