Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. A Cholecystectomy is the standard treatment of stones in the gallbladder. The traditional ‘open’ operation usually involves an incision of 5-15 cm in length. Even the small incisions used in ‘mini-lap’ Cholecystectomy are painful and disabling because muscle is cut to obtain access to the gallbladder. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy requires several small incisions in the abdomen to allow the insertion of surgical instruments and a small video camera. After inflating the abdominal cavity, the gallbladder is identified, separated from the liver bed and removed through one of the small incisions. Use of the ‘pencil point’ type of trocar avoids the need to cut inside, minimises the chance of a wound hernia and enables the operation to be carried out as a ‘day case’.