Cholecystectomy
is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped sac that islocated directly beneath the liver in the upper right side of the abdomen. The gallbladder's mainfunction is to store bile, which is produced by the liver, and to release it as needed for digestion.The gallbladder's function is important, but it is not an essential organ.
What is the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that stores and concentrates bile. Thegallbladder is connected to theliverby the hepatic duct. It is approximately 3 to 4 inches(7.6 to 10.2 cm) long and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
What is its Function?
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile and concentrate. Bile is a digestive liquidcontinually secreted by the liver. The bile emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partlydigested food. A muscular valve in the common bile duct opens, and the bile flows from thegallbladder into the cystic duct, along the common bile duct, and into the duodenum (partof the small intestine).
Conditions and Diseases of the gallbladder
Sometimes the substances contained in bile crystallize in the gallbladder, forminggallstones. These small, hard concretions are more common in persons over 40, especiallyin women and the obese. They can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, a disorder thatproduces symptoms similar to those of indigestion, especially after a fatty meal isconsumed. If a stone becomes lodged in the bile duct, it produces severe pain.Gallstones may pass out of the body spontaneously; however, serious blockage is treated by removingthe gallbladdersurgically.
Surgical removal
is the most common therapy for gallbladder disorders. Gallstones (small, solidformations composed of cholesterol and bile salts) can cause problems in the gallbladder and theentire biliary system, including the pancreas.They are often responsible for very painful and potentially serious inflammation of thegallbladder called
acute cholecystitis
.
Open Cholecystectomy
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which renders the patientunconscious. After the anesthesia is administered, the abdomen is cleaned with anantiseptic solution to reduce the risk for infection. The surgeon makes a 4- to 6-inchincision in the right upper portion of the abdomen. The liver is lifted out of the wayand the gallbladder is carefully removed. The incision is closed and sutured. The disadvantages of this procedure are longer hospitalization and recovery period,significant postoperative pain, and a large scar. However, the surgery is safe and
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