Gallstones or Cholelithiasis, as is the medical term for it, can be quite an uncomfortable and troublesome medical problem. As you know that gallstones are caused by the buildup of solid particles, in this case stones, because of the formation of bile in the gallbladder. The buildup of stones usually occurs due to high amounts of cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile.
Choosing a gallstone treatment option can be challenging and a mind wrecking process. While you weigh your treatment options and decide which one to go ahead with, here are the top reasons why laparoscopic surgery is the most effective method to eliminate gallstones.
1. The Most Common and Popular Method
Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most popular and common methods used to treat gallstones. Due to its many benefits, as we will explore further, laparoscopic surgery is the most chosen form of gallstone treatment unless there is a major reason for the surgery to not be performed. Usually, when there are no underlying factors or risks involved, this is the method that most doctors prescribe and patients opt for.
This method of treatment lasts for about 2 hours and patients are usually allowed to go home on the same day. In some cases they are admitted for not more then 2 days.
2. Faster Recovery Than open Surgery
The open gallbladder surgery requires a surgeon to make a large incision in the abdomen and remove the entire gallbladder. Whereas, in a laparoscopic surgery a surgeon makes many small incisions in the abdomen which is inflated with air for a clearer view of the abdomen. Once the surgeon has a clear view, he/ she then inserts a laparoscope, which is a lighted scope with a video camera in the incision near the belly button and through the other incisions, he/ she inserts surgical instruments to remove your gallbladder.
Due to the smaller incisions, laparoscopic surgery offers a faster recovery than open surgery. You may have the surgery as an outpatient and usually you can return to your normal, daily activities and routine in 7-10 days whereas open surgery patients take 4-6 weeks for recovery. You may be sore for a week but compared to patients who have open surgery, you will face much less pain and discomfort and don’t need to take special diets or any major precautions.
3. Less Risks Involved
The risks involved in laparoscopic surgery are comparatively very low. Serious complications can include infection of an incision, internal bleeding, common bile duct injury, small intestine injury or general anesthesia risk. However, these can be rectified and fixed with further surgery. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has lower risks. Laparoscopic surgery patients experience less pain, complications and quicker recovery and return to their normal lifestyle. It has shown to not cause huge discomfort or affect the quality of life of patients who choose this form of treatment.
4. Affordable Costs
When it comes down to paying for your treatment, laparoscopic surgery is cheaper than open surgery or open cholecystectomy. Not only is the laparoscopic surgery treatment the safest and most common treatment option for gallbladder diseases, it even costs less, making it the preferred form of treatment for gallstones.
Conclusion
The way that laparoscopic treatment works i.e. through small incisions in the abdomen, makes it a safer and wiser treatment option. There is less risk of infection or internal injuries because of the small incisions and there is a faster recovery rate. The very fact that it can be performed on you as an outpatient and you can go back home the same day, means that is a much more comfortable treatment option and very much less likely to cause you trouble in getting back to work and your daily routine.
As medical technology advances, the less complicated treatment options become and laparoscopic surgery is one of the best examples for it. It is the preferred form of treatment over open surgery not only in the cases of gallbladder diseases but also splenectomy and esophageal surgery as well.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is safe and effective. Surgery gets rid of gallstones located in the gallbladder. It does not remove stones in the common bile duct. Gallstones can form in the common bile duct years after the gallbladder is removed, although this is rare.
