LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY
- Removal of gallbladder by keyhole surgery

Indications:

(i)  Symptomatic gallstones - Pain, nausea and vomiting from gallstones

(ii) Complications from gallstones - infection, pancreatitis, jaundice

(iii) Polyps/suspicion of cancer of gallbladder(eg porcelain gallbladder)

Procedure

General anaesthesia. Usually 4 small cuts on abdomen. Telescope passed in. Carbon dioxide gas insufflation to lift abdominal wall up for view. Dissection to see gallbaldder and cystic duct and artery. Metal clips to gallbladder artery and cystic duct. X-ray of bile duct performed after dye is injected to exclude stones in bile duct(Operative cholangiogram) Drain tube at end of case.

Blood thinning injections usually at end of operation to prevent blood clot in the legs.

Postop - the drain tube is removed the following day if there is no bile leak. Discharge usually on the next day if able to mobilize comfortably and tolerate food.

Risks

Stone in bile duct - may need exploration of bile duct during operation or further surgery(ERCP)

Bile leak(1 in 200)/bile duct injury(1 in 230)

Spillage of stones out of gallbladder

Need for open surgery(1 in 20) - especially if acutely inflammed

Bleeding

Damage to other organs, adhesions

Wound infection, scar, hernia at port site

Gas embolus

Heart attack, stroke, anaesthetic reactions, chest infections, blood clots in legs/lungs, death

Persisting symptoms despite surgery

Alternatives

Oral dissolution therapy - risks of gallstones recurring/poor outcome for large gallstones

Cholecystostomy - removing the stones alone : usually in patients who are too sick for the whole surgery to remove the gallbladder

Lithotripsy - shattering the stones smaller but this may cause more symptoms/complications

Operative Cholangiogram - X-ray of the bile duct with contrast