Cholecystectomy
"Most patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy go home the same day as the operation or the next and can immediately resume their diet and daily activities".
DR. PABLO MARTÍ CRUCHAGA SPECIALIST. GENERAL AND DIGESTIVE SURGERY DEPARTMENT
Cholecystectomy is the surgical intervention that consists of the extraction of the gallbladder and is the most common method to treat different pathologies of this organ.
The intervention resolves the typical symptoms of biliary colic in 95% of patients.
Currently, in most gallbladder surgeries, laparoscopic techniques are used, based on introducing into the abdomen, through 3 or 4 small holes, small instruments and a camera. Usually, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is chosen when simple surgery is foreseen.
When is cholecystectomy indicated?
The operation is indicated for patients whose gallbladder suffers from a number of diseases, such as gallstones (also called cholelithiasis), inflammation from infection (also called cholecystitis), severe abdominal pain due to gallbladder colic, or associated with other procedures.
Most frequent indications:
- Biliary lithiasis (cholelithiasis)
- Cholecystitis
Do you have any of these diseases?
You may need to have a cholecystectomy
How is cholecystectomy performed?
Once the gallbladder is located, the vessels that irrigate it and the cystic duct are cut, and then the gallbladder is removed using laparoscopic instruments.
Exceptionally, if the gallbladder is very inflamed, infected or harbours large stones, it is advisable to access it through the abdomen by means of an open cholecystectomy. To do this, a small incision is made below the ribs, on the right side of the abdomen. After separating the liver to expose the gallbladder, the vessels and duct that are connected to this organ are cut to remove it.
In order to rule out blockages or stones, the common bile duct that drains digestive flow or bile from the liver to the small intestine must be examined after resection. Usually, if there has been inflammation or infection, a small flat drainage tube is left for a few days after the operation to facilitate the exit of fluids to the outside.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia and usually lasts about an hour.
Most patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy go home the same day as the operation or the next and can immediately resume their diet and daily activities.
In the case of open cholecystectomy, patients require 5-7 days of postoperative hospitalization and cannot begin to follow their normal diet until one week later.
They have to wait between 4 and 6 weeks to incorporate themselves into their usual activities.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRA AND MADRID
The Department of General Surgery
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Department of General and Digestive Surgery is made up of specialists dedicated to the surgical treatment of endocrine, breast, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal and abdominal wall diseases, with special dedication to oncological surgery.
The application of laparoscopic surgery in the interventions reduces the hospital stay, the post-operative discomfort and shortens the patient's recovery.
We have a great experience in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, of the adrenal gland, liver and pancreas, as well as in obesity surgery.
Treatments we perform
- Colorectal surgery.
- Breast surgery.
- Surgery of the hemorrhoids.
- Pelvic floor surgery.
- Endocrine and obesity surgery.
- Esophageal and gastrointestinal surgery.
- Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.
- Abdominal wall surgery.
- Liver transplant.
Why at the Clinica?
- Center of Excellence in Obesity Surgery by the International Federation for Bariatric Surgery.
- 90% survival rate in liver transplants.
- We are the private hospital with the largest technological equipment.
Our team of professionals
Specialist in General Surgery with experience in performing cholecystectomies
