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Facts About Gallbladder Surgery Queens NY Patients May Be Interested In

By Matthew Powell


Shaped like a pear, the gall bladder is located on the under surface of the liver. The two are directly linked by a duct system. They work together in the production, storage and release of bile into the alimentary canal to facilitate digestion of fats. This linkage can be interfered with when the channels get obstructed for whatsoever reason, an occurrence that may necessitate an operation to restore normal flow. These are some of the basic facts regarding gallbladder surgery Queens NY patients may wish to know.

One of the typical conditions which may necessitate an operation is the presence of gallstones. This simply refers to formation of crystals in the gallbladder, resulting in clogging and inflammation. The stones can be made of cholesterol or calcium and other elements. The latter are also known as pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are yellow in colour, while pigment stones are black or brown. Factors that predispose an individual to suffer from gallstones include a previous history of the same, obesity, dehydration and age over forty.

The outstanding presenting complaint for suspected gallstones is abdominal pain, especially around the region of the upper quadrant on the right, where the inflamed bladder is situated. The colicky nature of the pain is attributed to peristaltic movement of gall stones between the organ itself and its related ducts. The patient tends to feel more discomfort if the stones are larger in size and if there are regular bouts of stone dislodgement into the duct system.

In addition, a patient suspected to have gallbladder disease may have yellow eyes and skin if severe. Frequent episodes of vomiting can result in loss of the require fluid volume in the body. Therefore, these patient need to be monitored for any signs of dehydration such as dry, sunken eyes, disheveled skin and reduced urination. Fever and pain should be controlled using the appropriate drugs.

It is important for the doctor to have a high index of suspicion because the consequences of untreated gallstones are unpalatable. This is because the associated inflammatory process and the building up of pressure within the limited space can result in the organ bursting and leakage of its contents. This further stimulates a new inflammatory process in the surrounding structures. The situation should therefore be treated with urgency to avoid further damage.

Since gallstones have a high tendency to recur, they are best treated by simply getting rid of your gallbladder through a surgical procedure called cholecystectomy, usually performed under general anaesthesia. In preparing the patient for surgery, the doctor will do specific laboratory tests to check whether your system can withstand the stress of an operation. The operating team will also need an abdominal ultrasound to have an idea of how severe the damage is before they go in.

Two options are available for gall bladder surgery, open surgery or laparoscopic. Open surgery is associated with a higher risk of infection, more blood loss and it takes longer for the patient to heal. Moreover, it leaves the patient with a larger, less attractive physical scar.

The average duration for a cholecystectomy done laparoscopically is less than an hour. It may take longer if one opts for open surgery and if complications arise during the procedure. Some of the risks of this procedure include excessive blood loss, damage to surrounding organs and infection. Being under general anesthesia, the patient may also be at risk of aspiration, cardiac arrest and other anesthesia related complications. The good news is that after a successful cholecystectomy, there is no chance of getting gallstones in the future.




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