Gallbladder removal includes 2 main surgical procedures. Although this hollow organ is designed for the accumulation and storage of bile, after its complete removal, the patient can live a normal life as the liver continues to produce bile.
Indications for Surgery
Surgery for gallbladder removal is necessary in the following complications and diseases:
- In cases of difficult or impossible bile flow;
- In acute cholecystitis (inflammation due to infection of the gallbladder);
- In chronic calculous and non-calculous cholecystitis;
- In polyposis and cholesterolosis of the gallbladder;
- In obstruction of the bile ducts that drain into the duodenum;
- In gallbladder cancer;
- In pancreatitis.
Diagnosis
At the leading clinic in Israel, Ichilov, a series of advanced diagnostic procedures will be conducted before gallbladder removal surgery:
- Complete blood count;
- Electrocardiogram;
- Chest X-ray and gallbladder X-ray;
- Ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder;
- Liver function tests;
- Doppler ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder vessels;
- Computed tomography;
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography;
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography;
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.
In addition to taking medical history and conducting diagnostics for gallbladder removal, detailed consultations with leading specialists in abdominal surgery, gastroenterology, and anesthesiology at Ichilov are scheduled in advance.
Procedure for Gallbladder Removal in Israel
There are 2 main methods for gallbladder removal:
- Open surgery;
- Laparoscopic technique.
In open surgery, the surgeon accesses the gallbladder through a longitudinal incision in the abdomen measuring 13-20 cm. This method is generally recommended for elderly patients and those whose gallbladder disease was diagnosed too late. After open gallbladder removal, the patient typically stays at Ichilov for an additional 2-3 days.
Thanks to their mastery of various treatment methods, especially the latest surgical techniques, gastroenterologists advocate for minimally invasive interventions. This principled stance is evident in all surgical operations performed at Ichilov.
All patients have access to the minimally invasive method of surgical intervention – laparoscopic gallbladder removal. This is the latest technique that surgeons prefer for treating gallbladder diseases in Israel.
The surgical intervention using this method at Ichilov has several undeniable advantages. First and foremost, it is minimally traumatic for patients. The incisions made by the surgeon are very small, allowing for quick healing and no cosmetic defect in the form of a scar. Additionally, patients recover very quickly after such surgery, and the risk of complications approaches zero.
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is performed under general anesthesia. Before the surgery begins, carbon dioxide is introduced into the abdominal cavity. This helps the surgeon enlarge the visible space for performing the procedure. The visualization of the surgeon's actions is displayed on a monitor via a camera that was previously inserted into the abdominal cavity. The operation lasts from one to two hours. The sutures placed by the surgeon dissolve in about 10-14 days.