Gallbladder Surgery in Springfield, Ohio

Sometimes the gallbladder can become inflamed, infected or blocked. If these ailments occur, you may either be hospitalized due to urgency, or your primary care physician may suggest cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal surgery. Sometimes gallbladder problems can be managed with medication or adjustments in diet. However, when severe obstruction of the gallbladder occurs, removal is the only option. If surgery is the form of treatment your doctor recommends, Dr. Tedros Andom at Springfield General Surgery specializes in this procedure and can determine if robotic surgery is appropriate for you. Gallbladder removal is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States.

If you’re seeking gallbladder surgery in the Columbus, OH area, call Dr. Tedros Andom at (937) 717-4884 to schedule a consultation.

What does the Gallbladder do?

Your gallbladder is a small organ positioned under the liver in the upper right portion of the abdomen, that stores bile to help the body digest fat. Its main purpose is to collect bile, a digestive agent that is produced by the liver. While it performs an important function, it is not absolutely necessary. Other parts of the body can help bile reach the small intestine in the gallbladder’s absence. Symptoms may include sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, and indigestion. Gallbladder pain may start after a meal and it may be a severe, steady pain. If left untreated, symptoms may worsen.

Symptoms of a Diseased Gallbladder

The following symptoms could be an indication of an inflamed or infected gallbladder:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen.
• Tenderness in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

These symptoms may be more pronounced after eating a high-fat or large meal.

What happens when a Gallbladder is diseased?

Though it may depend on the disease, most solutions to gallbladder disease treatment involve surgical removal of the gallbladder. Common types of gallbladder diseases are:

• Cholecystitis
  • This is the inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Gallstones
  • Much like kidney stones, a hardened deposit called gallstones may form in the gallbladder, which can cause pain because of inflammation. These block the outlet of the gallbladder, causing pain. Sometimes the stones may move into the bile duct, causing jaundice or an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Patients near Springfield who have severe symptoms from gallstones (usually diagnosed on an ultrasound) usually have their gallbladder removed.
• Gallbladder Polyps
  • Non-cancerous tumors or growths may form in the gallbladder. Depending on the severity, this may need to be surgically removed.
• Gallbladder Cancer
  • Though very rare, gallbladder cancer still happens, and isn’t commonly detected due to infrequent testing.

How is a Diseased Gallbladder Removed?

During minimally invasive gallbladder surgery (Cholecystectomy), Dr. Tedros Andom removes the gallbladder with precision instruments through either a small incision in the belly button or a few small incisions. One of the instruments used has a small camera attached to it, which allows the surgeon to take pictures inside the body to guide the operation.

Lifestyle Changes After a Cholecystectomy

For the first few weeks, it is recommended that patients limit their intake to foods low in fat. A normal diet may be resumed after this period has passed. Most patients only notice minimal changes to their digestion, if any at all. But, In rare instances, digestive discomfort may be felt. .

Benefits of a da Vinci Cholecystectomy

There are many benefits to da Vinci surgery, including:

• Low rate of complications
• Minimal, if any, scarring from the surgery
• Minimal pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Low rate of wound infection

Risks of Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy

Every surgery comes with risk. If you are undergoing a minimally invasive Cholecystectomy, there are a few risks to keep in mind, such as:

• Potential injury to small and large intestine
• Urinary retention
• Hernia at the incision site
• Potential bile duct injury

Consult Dr. Tedros Andom in Springfield, OH if you believe you may be a candidate for a da Vinci Cholecystectomy procedure.