What is Gallbladder Removal?
The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver. Its function is to store bile used by the intestines to digest food.
Gallstones – small calcified deposits – sometimes form and block the bile ducts which lead from the gallbladder to the intestines.
In many cases, the problem becomes so severe, that the only effective treatment is to remove the entire gallbladder. This is the most common reason for gallbladder surgery.
It begins with a small incision made above the umbilicus. Then, a hollow needle will be inserted through the abdominal wall.
The abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide and an imblical port is created for the laparoscope.
Three more incisions will be made, with care taken to keep the openings as small as possible.
Once in place, the laparoscope will provide video images that allow the surgeon to locate and pull back both the liver and gallbladder…
Next, the surgeon removes the connecting tissue in order to expose the cystic duct and the cystic artery. Using clips, the surgical team clamps off both the duct and artery which are later cut to prepare the gallbladder for removal.
Finally, any remaining tissue connecting the gallbladder to the liver is cut. The gallbladder is moved into the laparoscopic working port where it is taken out of the body.
All of the instruments are withdrawn and the carbon dioxide is allowed to escape. The muscle layers and other tissues are sewn together, and the skin is closed with sutures or staples.
Finally, sterile dressings are applied.
