The gall bladder is a small pear shaped organ that is attached to the underside of the liver. The gall bladder stores bile - a fluid that helps digest fat. The bile flows into the gut along a small tube - the bile duct.
Gallstones may form in the gall bladder and may cause pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes stones may travel into the bile duct and cause a blockage. If this occurs, the person may turn yellow (jaundiced) and need urgent treatment. One in 5 people develop gall stones, although not everyone will have problems. However, those people who do have problems may go on to develop complications if it is not treated. Complications include inflammation of the gall bladder, inflammation of the pancreas and blockage of the bile duct causing jaundice and infection.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gall bladder using a laparoscope ( a tube like instrument). This is commonly known as key hole surgery. It is safe and effective for most patients who have symptoms from gall stones. There are usually about four small cuts (incisions) about 0.5 - 2.5 cms long, made in the abdomen. The number of cuts and their positions may vary between patients.
A telescope is passed into one of the small cuts to allow the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. Hollow metal tubes called ports are inserted into the other small cuts.
Carbon dioxide is blown into the abdomen to lift he abdominal wall away from the liver, gall bladder, small bowel, stomach and other organs. The surgeon puts instruments such as forceps and scissors into the other ports to help remove the gall bladder.
Having the gall bladder removed will, in most people, relieve pain, nausea and vomiting. It will also prevent complications and the gallstones from coming back. The risks and benefits of the procedure will be discussed during your pre-operative consultation.
You will need to obtain a referral from your general practitioner as you are able to claim a private health fund and Medicare rebate.
Gallstones may form in the gall bladder and may cause pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes stones may travel into the bile duct and cause a blockage. If this occurs, the person may turn yellow (jaundiced) and need urgent treatment. One in 5 people develop gall stones, although not everyone will have problems. However, those people who do have problems may go on to develop complications if it is not treated. Complications include inflammation of the gall bladder, inflammation of the pancreas and blockage of the bile duct causing jaundice and infection.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gall bladder using a laparoscope ( a tube like instrument). This is commonly known as key hole surgery. It is safe and effective for most patients who have symptoms from gall stones. There are usually about four small cuts (incisions) about 0.5 - 2.5 cms long, made in the abdomen. The number of cuts and their positions may vary between patients.
A telescope is passed into one of the small cuts to allow the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. Hollow metal tubes called ports are inserted into the other small cuts.
Carbon dioxide is blown into the abdomen to lift he abdominal wall away from the liver, gall bladder, small bowel, stomach and other organs. The surgeon puts instruments such as forceps and scissors into the other ports to help remove the gall bladder.
Having the gall bladder removed will, in most people, relieve pain, nausea and vomiting. It will also prevent complications and the gallstones from coming back. The risks and benefits of the procedure will be discussed during your pre-operative consultation.
You will need to obtain a referral from your general practitioner as you are able to claim a private health fund and Medicare rebate.