Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy in Chennai

Cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure done to treat gallbladder issues. Minimally invasive cholecystectomy is also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In this procedure, the gallbladder is removed using small incisions. It is the most common and advanced method of treating gallbladder stones. If you are looking for a minimally invasive cholecystectomy in Chennai, you must read on to know everything about this procedure.

A cholecystectomy is a surgery done to remove the gallbladder, which is a small hollow organ of the digestive system. The main function of the gallbladder is to store bile. Cholecystectomy is a common treatment for different gallbladder problems. It is performed routinely using minimally invasive surgery techniques such as laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery.

Doctors use different types of cholecystectomy procedures to remove gallbladder, which includes the following:

• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: It is a minimally invasive surgery done to remove the gall bladder using a thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) and small surgical tools. It is the most common method used today to remove gallbladder. This method is preferred because it is less invasive, causes less pain and bleeding, and ensures quick recovery.
• Robotic Cholecystectomy: This is a more advanced procedure in which the surgeon operates the instruments using a robotic system. It is done with precision to get the best results.
• Open Cholecystectomy: It is the traditional method of removing the gallbladder. In this procedure, the surgeon opens the abdomen by making a long incision to remove the gallbladder. 

The doctor recommends cholecystectomy in the following conditions:

• If your gallbladder disease interferes with your daily activities and affects your quality of life.
• It is expected to become worse over time.
• It is causing significant risks to your health.
• It mostly happens when you suffer from gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, or gallbladder cancer.

Cholecystectomy is mainly done for gallstones. Many people do not have symptoms due to gallstones, and they live for years. However, people with symptoms of gallstones suffer repeatedly. If a gallstone gets stuck in the biliary tract, it can block the bile flow and can cause severe pain.

The surgeon will prepare you for surgery in the following way:

Preoperative preparation

• Medical evaluation: The doctor will take a complete medical history, family history, lifestyle, and symptoms in the first consultation. 
  Blood tests and scans: The doctor will recommend blood tests, ultrasound, or MRI to assess the size of the stone and gallbladder condition.
• Fasting: The doctor will ask you to avoid eating or drinking for at least 6-8 hours before surgery.
• Medications: If you take blood thinners, you have to stop taking them before surgery to avoid the risk of bleeding. If you are allergic to any medications, tell your healthcare provider about this in advance.
• Anesthesia: Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia

• Small incisions: The doctor will make three to four small incisions of small size up to 1 cm in the abdomen.
• Insertion of laparoscope: A small laparoscope camera is inserted through one incision to see the gallbladder properly.
• Carbon dioxide inflation: The abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide gas to create enough space for the surgeon to see and operate precisely.
• Gallbladder removal: The doctor will insert surgical tools through other incisions to remove the gallbladder. The doctor precisely detaches the gallbladder from the liver and bile ducts.
• Closure of incisions: The gallbladder is removed through one incision. The incisions are then closed using surgical glue or dissolvable stitches.
• Monitoring: The patient is shifted to a recovery room and is observed before being discharged from the hospital. 

Many patients go home the same day after surgery. Some patients may have to stay overnight in the hospital for observation. The patient is advised to take rest with limited movements. The patient may experience mild discomfort and pain after cholecystectomy.

The patient can resume light activities after one to two weeks of surgery. It may take about 4-6 weeks to recover completely.

Post-surgery instructions to the patients

The doctor gives post-surgery instructions to the patients for quick recovery:

• The patient will be prescribed over-the-counter pain medications to relieve pain and discomfort for a few days.
• You have to keep incisions clean and dry and avoid soaking in water.
• Avoid eating fatty foods and add bland and low-fat foods to your diet for easy and quick digestion.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights and strenuous exercises for at least a month.
• You have to visit the hospital for a follow-up after one or two weeks of surgery.

Minimally invasive cholecystectomy has several benefits, due to which it has become the most common and popular treatment method for gallstones. The benefits include the following:

• This procedure has less pain as compared to the traditional open cholecystectomy.
• It has a short recovery period, and most patients resume normal activities within one or two weeks after surgery.
• Small incisions heal quickly, and there is minimum scarring as compared to a large open cut in the abdomen.
• There is a lower risk of infection in minimally invasive cholecystectomy due to smaller cuts.
• The hospital stay is shorter, and many patients leave the hospital the same day. 

Some risks are associated with the minimally invasive cholecystectomy:

• In some cases, bleeding and infection may occur at the incision site.
• The bile duct may get injured during surgery, which can lead to bile leakage and further complications.
• Blood clots may occur at the site of the incision.
• Some patients have side effects due to anaesthesia, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, etc.
• The patients are monitored closely after surgery to avoid risks and complications. 

You must visit the Gleneagles Hospital to look for the best gallbladder stone treatment in Chennai. It is the leading hospital for the treatment of Gallstones in Chennai for the following reasons:

• Expert surgeons for Minimally Invasive procedures: Gleneagles Hospitals has expert surgeons for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The doctors have years of experience in doing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with complete care and precision.
• Advanced facilities: The hospital is well equipped with advanced facilities and technology to ensure efficient results in every case. The doctors are committed to using advanced laparoscopic techniques to get the best results and reduce recovery time.
• Comprehensive care: The doctors and hospital staff provide personalised care to every patient, from preoperative assessment to postoperative recovery. The doctors educate patients about the entire process to ensure quick recovery.
• Modern infrastructure: The hospital has well-equipped surgery rooms and recovery rooms for the patients. The environment is safe and conducive to making the recovery process faster and easier for the patients.

A minimally invasive cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure that is a safe and effective surgery done to remove the gallbladder. It helps in quick recovery, causes minimum scars, and there is a low risk of complications. People can choose the leading hospital for treatment for gallstones in Chennai to get the best treatment.