What is Open Gallstones surgery?

1. Open gallstone or gallbladder surgery is medically known as cholecystectomy.
2. This surgical procedure usually involves the removal of the entire gallbladder because of recurring cases of gallstones or a severe inflammation or injury caused by them.
3. Usually, open gallstone surgery is performed after trying non-surgical or laparoscopic procedures to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.
4. Some people may also have specific health conditions that need an open gallbladder procedure.

Why is Cholecystectomy Done?

The doctor may recommend a cholecystectomy if:

1. You have gallstones (solid lumps in your gall bladder)
2. Your gall bladder is infected, red, or swollen.
3. Your gall bladder is cancerous

When to See a Doctor?

You can consult your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

1. Pain in the centre or on the right side of your upper belly
2. Pain that gets worse after a heavy meal or is constant
3. Pain that you can feel in the tip of your right shoulder blade and your back
4. Feeling of fullness
5. Nausea, fever, chills, and vomiting
6. Jaundice (yellow-looking skin)

What to Expect If You Delay Surgery?

If you delay surgery, then you can expect more severe outcomes, such as:

1. Continued pain
2. Worsening of symptoms
3. Infection or bursting of the gallbladder
4. Severe illness and possibly death
5. Extensive inflammation
6. Cirrhosis (a disease of the liver characterised by inflammation of the cells)

Risks of untreated gall stones include:

1. Acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
2. Jaundice
3. Inflammation (swelling, redness, and tenderness) of the pancreas

Acute Cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis may have the following complications if not treated on time:

1. Advanced cholecystitis
2. Gangrenous cholecystitis (blood flow to the gall bladder is cut off)
3. Empyema of the gall bladder (accumulation of pus)
4. Perforation of the gall bladder

Risks of Chronic Cholecystitis include:

1. Mechanical or physiological dysfunction of gall bladder
2. Acute biliary colic (pain in the abdomen)
3. A more severe form of cholecystitis that requires urgent medical assistance (acute cholecystitis).
4. Cholelithiasis (presence of gall stones in the biliary tract)

Who needs Gallstones removal surgery?

There are many reasons why open gallstone surgery becomes necessary:

1. The gallstones block or get lodged in the bile duct, causing gallbladder attack. It results in sharp pain in the abdominal region.
2. The gallbladder or bile duct is severely inflamed.
3. The patient is currently in the third trimester of pregnancy or more.
4. You have blood-related disorders like sickle cell anaemia or issues with clotting.
5. You consume anticoagulants or blood thinners.

Benefits of removal of Gallstones

1. Removing the gallbladder will stop the pain and treat the infection caused by gallstones. It can also stop gallstones from coming back.
2. If gallstones are not treated, pain and infection can get worse

Open Gallstones surgery procedure?

Open Gall Stone Procedure

1. The abdominal area is cleansed with a disinfectant.
2. A 5-7 inch incision is made under the ribs on the right side of the abdomen. The incision is slanted or up-and-down depending upon the condition of the patient.
3. Vitals are monitored throughout the surgery.
4. The skin and tissue are pulled back, and the gallbladder is removed.
5. The wound is closed with stitches.
6. The area is bandaged.
7. An open gallstone treatment is a traditional surgical procedure. The alternative is laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery, which is minimally invasive. The latter is performed using four small incisions through which special tools are inserted to remove the gallstones, or in some cases, the gallbladder.
8. The surgical approach chosen depends upon the severity of the case or the patient's current health condition.

An open gallstone treatment is a traditional surgical procedure. The alternative is laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery, which is minimally invasive. The latter is performed using four small incisions through which special tools are inserted to remove the gallstones, or in some cases, the gallbladder.

The surgical approach chosen depends upon the severity of the case or the patient's current health condition

What to expect before surgery?

1. Pre-anaesthetic checkup or pre-op check-up is performed; including blood work, EKG, HIDA scan, abdominal ultrasound, ERCP, and chest X-rays.
2. After studying the medical history and check-up results, the patient is given clearance for surgery, and the surgery appointment is fixed.
3. The type of anaesthesia is decided upon based on the patient's condition.
4. The patient must fast for at least 4 hours before the surgery.
5. Some medications they are currently consuming may also be temporarily stopped for this period.
6. The surgical procedure, post-operative care, and formalities are discussed.

What to expect on the day of surgery?

1. Consent formalities from the patient as well as the next of kin must be signed.
2. The patient must shower, change into hospital clothing, remove all jewellery, dentures, etc.
3. The abdominal region is shaved if required.
4. The PAC clearance is confirmed.
5. Recommended medication must be consumed with a sip of water.
6. Record of previous meals and diet is checked.
7. Vitals are monitored.
8. The patient is shifted into the operation theatre.

What to expect during surgery?

1. The patient is made to lie down on the operating table in a supine position.
2. An IV is inserted to administer fluids.
3. General Anaesthesia is administered.
4. An incision is made on the upper right part of the abdomen to remove the gallbladder.
5. The incision is stitched and dressed.
6. The entire procedure takes 1-2 hours, depending upon the patient's condition.