Thursday, April 16, 2009

Case Files: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Presenting Scenario: Patient presents with complaints of right upper quadrant pain for three days, fever, fatigue, and general malaise.
ER Physician Orders: Refer to Surgical Service.

Diagnosis: Recurrent Cholelithiasis (gallstones in gallbladder).

Surgical Procedures Ordered: Laparascopic Cholecystectomy under General Anesthesia

Laparascopic Cholecystectomy Defined: This is a minimally invasive procedure where four small incisions are made in your abdomen to insert four tubes that give us access into your abdomen for a camera and three other tools, like a cauterizer, and various "grabbing" tools. We use the cauterizer to peel away fat and the abdominal covering around your gallbladder, which is located just under your liver. Then, carefully we continue to peel away, taking care not to damage your arteries and making sure we get all the gallbladder. We then insert a special tool that opens up a small bag, place the gallbladder inside the bag, close the bag (while still inside your abdomen), then we pull the bag out of the biggest incision, where the camera is usually placed.

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