• Cholecystectomy

Today the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the gold standard and considered the surgical procedure of choice for the removal of the gall bladder.

The first laparoscopic Cholecystectomy was performed in 1985 by Dr E. Mühe, in Germany; this was followed in France by Drs P. Mouret and Dubois in 1987-1988. After this, Dr. J. B. Ackerman performed the 1st laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the United States. Drs. E. J. Reddick and Dr. W. Saye followed with their published series in 1988- 1989. In other words, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy has been routinely performed for over 25 yrs.

Special Laparoscopic instruments are used that allow  access to the abdominal cavity and thus carry on with the removal of the gall bladder. These special instruments are the laparoscope, endo-clips, endo-dissectors, endo-graspers, endo-scissors, endo-retractors and endo-staples through which the gall bladder is removed just as it is done in the traditional open surgical procedure.

These special laparoscopic instruments allow the surgery to be done through very small  incisions that go from 1/2cm.  to  1 cm. in total length; in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 2 to 3 of these small incisions are made. The diameters of these specially designed laparoscopic instruments vary from 2mm  to 12mm.   As a result of this, and with an uneventful post-operative course, the patient is discharged within 24hrs following their surgery.   

With Minimally Invasive Surgery, tissue handling and trauma is considerably less when compared to the traditional open surgery. Furthermore, the risks and complications with a laparoscopic cholecystectomy are much less than allowing a known pathological condition go without treatment.

Certain pre-operative requirements must be met prior to the consideration of any type of surgical procedure; and the choice for a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is no exception.  These conditions and requirements, as well as the possible complications, should be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon.