Cholecystectomy

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located below the liver. The liver makes 3 to 5 cups of bile daily. Bile helps digest fats. The place where bile is stored is the gallbladder. Gallstones consist of digestive juices that harden in the gallbladder. Cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder that may occur suddenly or chronically.The presence of gallstones is the most important reason for cholecystectomy.

If gallstones fall from the gallbladder into the bile duct, it can lead to obstruction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct. In that case, biliary pancreatitis develops, which is more dangerous than cholecystitis itself, and after treatment of these cases, cholecystectomy is used. Cholecystectomy is performed laparoscopically or open cholecystectomy. In a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen. The surgical instruments and the camera with which the internal organs are observed will enter the body using the same incisions. Carbon dioxide gas is used to give the surgeon a clearer view of the abdomen. Eventually the gallbladder is removed and the incisions made using adhesive or surgical clamps are also blocked. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy usually takes 1 to 2 hours. In open cholecystectomy surgery, an incision of about 6 inches is made in the upper and right abdomen, and finally the gallbladder is removed and the surgical site is closed. A small tube is inserted from the inside out into the abdomen to drain the secretions. This drain is usually removed in a hospital. Open cholecystectomy also takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Before having a cholecystectomy, remember to make a list of your medications. Taking certain medications before cholecystectomy surgery affects recovery and response to anesthesia. If you smoke, you should tell your surgeon before having a cholecystectomy so that you can make a smoking cessation before surgery. You should avoid eating and drinking for 4 hours before cholecystectomy. Medications and fluids enter your body intravenously before surgery. If you receive general anesthesia, you will be asleep and unconscious during surgery. If spinal anesthesia is used, the drug will be injected into your lower back just below your spine. After performing a cholecystectomy, you will be transferred to the recovery room with your heart rate, blood pressure and urine output adjusted. Deep movement and breathing after cholecystectomy reduce the risk of complications such as blood clots or fluid accumulation in the lungs. So take a deep breath at 5 to 10 o'clock and hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds each time. Anesthesia during cholecystectomy surgery may lead to blood clots. Prolonged surgery time increases the risk of this complication. Therefore, walk 5 to 6 times a day after cholecystectomy surgery.