Laparoscopic cholecystotomy is a relatively new surgical procedure of
the gallbladder that helps patients with gallstones. This year
alone, a million people will learn that they have gallstones and
join the twenty million people in the United States that have
previously been diagnosed. The gall bladder is responsible for the
production of bile that aids in the digestive process. Averaging two
centimeters in size, gallstones are made primarily out of
cholesterol. Gallstones are more common in women than men and are
associated with multiple pregnancies, obesity or rapid weight loss,
age and some ethic populations. Laparoscopic cholecystotomy is a
procedure that can alleviate the pain and potentially life -
threatening complications caused by gallstones.
Prior to the availability of laparoscopic cholecystotomy to treat
gallbladder problems, other treatment options were available. The
most common treatment of gallstones before laparoscopic
cholecystotomy was an open abdominal operation to remove the
gallbladder from the patient in a cholecystectomy. Though the
mortality rate for this procedure is relatively low (.05 percent of
surgeries), post surgery recovery involved a five day hospital stay
and at least three to six weeks of convalescence. Other alternative
treatments for gallbladder problems include : oral bile acid
dissolution therapy, extraction of the gallbladder through a
catheter, or fragmentation of the gallbladder through shock wave
lithotripsy combined with dissolution techniques. Because these
procedures do not remove the gallbladder, these alternatives may
lead to reoccurring gallstone problems.
Laparoscopic cholecystotomy surgery is an innovative gallbladder
technique first performed in the United States in 1988. A
laparoscope is a video camera device that allows medical
professionals to view the internal structures of the gallbladder and
vital structures. In laparoscopic cholecystotomy , an open operation
is not necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystotomy involves making
several small abdominal incisions where trocars are inserted ,
allowing the surgeon to perform the operation using laparoscopic
visualization to remove the gallbladder from the body.
Laparoscopic cholecystotomy must be done properly in order to avoid
potentially catastrophic consequences. Careful care must be taken to
identify, isolate, and divide the cystic duct and artery for the
removal of the gallbladder in laparoscopic cholecystotomy surgery.
The benefits of laparoscopic cholecystotomy include shorter post-op
hospitalization (one or two days) and shorter recovery time (one to
two weeks). Pain caused by laparoscopic cholecystotomy is
comparatively less than from traditional techniques. The drawbacks
to this surgery include higher instances of bile duct injuries and
medical malpractice risks.
If you have had a laparoscopic cholecystotomy and been injured as a
result of medical malpractice from this procedure, you may wish to
speak to a medical malpractice attorney who can advise you of your
rights and options in a case.
For more information on laparoscopic cholecystotomy injury cases,
please contact us today. We are specialized in handling medical
malpractice suits and can quickly determine if you should pursue
your case.
Contact us by
Email or call us today at (401) 788-0600 to speak with a
someone from our firm..
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