GALLBLADDER SURGERY

Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)

A cholecystectomy, also called gallbladder removal, is a procedure where the gallbladder is removed surgically. The gallbladder is situated below the liver and is pear-shaped. The function of the gallbladder is to collect, as well as store bile that is produced by the liver. Cholecystectomy is a very common procedure and is often initiated due to the presence of certain conditions, such as gallstones and cholecystitis, a condition where the gallbladder becomes inflamed.

Types Of Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

A Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is a newer type of surgical procedure that can be used to remove a patient’s gallbladder and is less invasive than the traditional surgical option. With a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, four incisions are made in the patient’s abdomen – the incisions are very small. A small video camera is then placed through an incision into the abdomen of the patient, which will help guide the surgeon during the removal of the gallbladder.

Open Cholecystectomy

Open Cholecystectomy is a more traditional procedure where a relatively large incision is made in the area where the gallbladder resides. The incision is usually approximately six inches in length and is made below the ribs, on the right side of the body. Tissues on the inside of the patient’s body are pulled backward in order to allow the surgeon to gain access to the gallbladder, which is then removed.

Duration of procedure/surgery:

Both Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Open Cholecystectomy tend to take approximately one to two hours to complete, given that no complications develop during the procedure.

Anesthesia:

Patients who need to undergo a Cholecystectomy procedure will be provided with general anesthesia. The patient will not be conscious during the procedure. A tube will be inserted into the patient’s the.

Risks:

It is rare for patients to experience complications due to a Cholecystectomy. Complications and risks that may occur in some patients include:

• Infection
• Heart-related complications
• Nearby structures, such as the liver, bile duct, and the small intestine may be injured
• Pneumonia
• Pancreatitis
• Blood clots
• Bleeding
• Bile leak

Days admitted:

In most cases, a patient will be allowed to leave the hospital and go home on the same day as the surgical procedure was conducted. In some cases, the patient may be asked to stay overnight in order for the surgeon to monitor the patient. Should any complications develop, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time.

Recovery:

Patients are taken to a recovery room following the procedure for a relatively short period of time. Here, the patient will wake up, and the surgeon will ensure that no immediate complications are present. The patient may then be allowed to go home after they have fully recovered, or be admitted to the hospital to stay overnight, depending on the findings of the surgeon.

After care:

Patients are advised to have a friend or a family member with them following the procedure, who will be requested to drive the patient to their home. The patient will also be advised to have someone with them for the first night in order to monitor them and identify the development of any potential complications.

How much does a Gallbladder Surgery cost?

At Marmara Health Clinic, we like it when people feel good about themselves. By using effective and safe methods, we can organize the operating time as efficiently as possible, which promotes a faster recovery.

We offer transparent all-in prices, including surgery, overnight stay and the necessary aftercare. This way you know in advance what to expect in costs, no surprises afterwards.

Contact Our Clinic at Istanbul Today

Our clinic is located in the top medical tourism city in Turkey, Istanbul. To learn more about the procedure or to schedule a consultation, contact our surgical facility online or dial (90) 544 165 05 04 (TR).

FAQ Gallbladder Surgery in Istanbul Turkey

What is the gallbladder?

It is the organ in charge of storing bile during periods of fasting. This secretion is produced by the liver to help the processing and absorption of food in the intestine, especially those rich in fats. In addition, bile serves to excrete endogenous substances and releases hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. It also serves to excrete cholesterol and regulate its levels in the blood.

However, it is important to know that the gallbladder is not a vital organ and that its removal does not produce digestive problems noticeable by the patient.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are solid formations produced by various abnormal biochemical processes that affect the bile stored in the gallbladder. A single one or hundreds of them can be formed. It is known that there are associated factors such as:

• Age.
• Being a woman.
• Obesity.
• Conditions such as diabetes.

Previous surgeries of the intestine that can influence its appearance.

When these stones obstruct the exit of bile from the gallbladder it is called cholecystitis, and it is a cause of abdominal pain that requires urgent evaluation.

What are the symptoms?

Although there is a possibility that they do not generate major discomfort and are asymptomatic, the most common symptom of gallstones is biliary colic, an intense pain -especially after eating large meals- located under the right ribs, in the pit of the stomach and radiating towards the back. Sometimes they can also produce nausea and vomiting. In the event of any of these discomforts, especially after the age of 40 or 45, a specialist should be consulted to avoid complications.

How is the diagnosis made?

Its detection is done through an ultrasound or abdominal tomography, which is a non-invasive and risk-free test. As the presence of stones can be asymptomatic, it is important to have this examination at least once a year in adulthood, as it is more common in adults and young adults, although they can appear at any age, even in newborns.

What does the treatment consist of?

The indication for the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder is only one: to remove it. It is the only definitive treatment for this pathology, since there is no way to dissolve them permanently with any drug. It is also useless to remove them from the gallbladder because it has been seen that patients produce them again after a short time.

In these cases, the surgery of choice is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that is performed with small incisions in the abdominal area and does not require more than one day of hospitalization. This allows a quick return to normal life, without major impediments for the patient.

What complications can occur if not treated in time?

The accumulation of gallstones in the gallbladder can lead to other more serious complications: jaundice, acute pancreatitis and gallbladder cancer.

Jaundice occurs because a stone obstructs the main bile duct through which bile is excreted into the duodenum. The symptoms are yellow eyes, very dark urine (like Sidral) and yellowish stools.

Acute pancreatitis occurs when the stone plugs the duct that drains the pancreas, producing pain in the upper abdominal area or extending to the back that worsens after eating. There may also be fever, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting and pain on palpation when touching the abdomen. In both cases, the patient should go immediately to the emergency department.

In the case of gallbladder cancer, it generally occurs in women after the age of 55 and, in most cases, affects those who have had few or no symptoms.