Why do gallstones form?
Gallstones are so common in West Bengal that we can safely presume that everybody knows at least one patient who has it. It is very difficult to say what causes it and why it is so common here. A few scientific guesses are – higher body fat, infection in bile ducts, poor movements in bile ducts, etc.
Why is it so common in West Bengal?
As to why it is commoner in our region there are no proven answers. Genetics, diet, environmental influences have been implicated. Since there is paucity of data as to what causes gallstones, there is very little we can do to prevent its formation.
What are the symptoms of gallstone disease?
Once formed gallstones may or may not cause symptoms. It may produce mild symptoms like pain and indigestion or it may cause severe diseases such as jaundice, infection, pancreatitis, etc.
What is the treatment of Gallstone Disease?
All gallstones need not be treated especially if the patients are elderly and asymptomatic.
Those who do require treatment, it is important for them to bear in mind that medicines never work practically. Hence requiring surgery. Unfortunately, many patients would like to believe that pills can provide magical cure and consume these for weeks and months before surrendering for surgery. Obviously, the delayed treatment may result in poorer outcome.
How is laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder stone done?
Laparoscopic surgery implies performance of surgical procedures with the assistance of a video camera and several slender instruments. During the surgical procedure, small incisions of 5 to 6 mm are made and plastic/ metal tubes called ports are placed through these incisions. The camera and the instruments are then introduced through the ports that allow access to the inside of the patient. The camera transmits an image of the organs inside the abdomen onto a television monitor. The video camera becomes a surgeon’s eyes in laparoscopic surgery. Through these ports, instruments are introduced and utilized to free the gallbladder from the bile duct and the liver. Once totally free it is delivered out of a 1 cm port. To facilitate its delivery through the small incision, the gallbladder is sucked and stones extracted to make it collapsed.
What is the advantage of Laparoscopic Surgery?
The fear of the knife is a universal phenomenon. Nobody wants to undergo surgery because of the fear of pain, prolonged hospital stay, delayed return to work and complications. With the advent of laparoscopy these problems have been largely solved.
Laparoscopic surgery is almost painless. The hospital stay is usually for 1 to 2 days. Most can join work in 5 to 7 days. Most good centers will have a complication rate of less than 1 %.
There are so many centers for laparoscopic surgery. Where should I get it done?
Do some research before handing your precious body to surgery. Most people are unaware of the factors they need to consider. Lets face it. Many amongst us want to get it done at the most affording price possible. The net result is we go health shopping with only budget in mind. Do we do the same when we buy clothes, food or homes for ourselves? True, that money is an important consideration. But so is safety and comfort.
So, how should we choose?
First, look for a center or surgeon with high volume of laparoscopic surgery. This will ensure a low complication rate. Experience counts, you know. Although this is nowadays a safe surgery, complications like bile duct injury may have disastrous lifelong consequences.
Second, do some research on the outcome of patients from these centers. Did they have wound infections? A very rare complication after laparoscopic surgery, but may spell hell for the unfortunate few. The worst part is, it is because of poor cleaning technique of laparoscopic instruments employed in some centers, something that may be beyond control of the surgeon. And it takes weeks to months to heal. Ask somebody who has had it.
To summarise, if you do need laparoscopic removal of gall bladder, choose not only on the basis of the cost or proximity of a center to your home, but choose on the basis of safety and comfort also. It will not necessarily come at a higher cost. But you need to know where to look. After all, your body is precious. Hand it over to somebody who thinks so too.
Can I get laparoscopic surgery with fewer holes?
Yes. The technology is now available. For the select few, who are very conscious of marks on their beautiful belly, one can opt for a single hole surgery, too. Of course, this will cost a bomb.
Watch the video on Gallbladder Surgery on YouTube.