Cholecystectomy
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Southwest Valley Surgical Associates
Surgeons located in Goodyear, AZ
While removing an organ, such as your gallbladder, is typically a last resort, there are times when an organ is more of a liability than an asset. If you need to have a cholecystectomy, trust the capable and experienced hands of a surgeon like Dr. Rama Muddaraj and his team at Southwest Valley Surgical Associates. Using the latest techniques, including robotic surgery, the doctors provide expert care for their patients in Goodyear, Arizona. To learn more, call the office or schedule an appointment online.
Cholecystectomy Q & A
What is a cholecystectomy?
A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder.
Your gallbladder is a small organ, about four inches long, that sits just beneath your liver. Your gallbladder’s primary function is to store the bile your liver produces and release it into your small intestine to aid in digestion.
As intermediaries go, it turns out that your gallbladder isn’t necessary to your overall digestive operations and there are very few side effects after it’s removed. You may experience some diarrhea or minor problems processing the fats in your diet.
Why would I need a cholecystectomy?
While your gallbladder isn’t a necessary organ when it comes to your overall digestive functioning, it can be a problematic one when things go wrong. The most common reasons for removing your gallbladder are:
Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form inside your gallbladder that range in size from a small seed to a large grape. When these stones block the flow of digestive fluids through your gallbladder, they can cause considerable pain.
Pancreatitis due to gallstones
If one of your gallstones blocks the ducts responsible for draining your pancreas, pancreatitis may develop.
Infection
If you have gallstones that create an infection inside your gallbladder, the doctor may recommend removing your gallbladder, especially if the infection is persistent.
Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is very rare, but if it does strike, removing your gallbladder is often the first line of defense in fighting it.
How is a cholecystectomy performed?
Thanks to medical advances, a cholecystectomy isn’t a major operation. In fact, the doctors can perform the procedure on an outpatient basis, if everything looks fairly routine.
Your doctor uses laparoscopic techniques and robotic technology to remove your gallbladder.
In laparoscopic techniques, he makes only small incisions through which he threads tiny, specialized instruments that are equipped with a camera. The camera affords your doctor a full view of the area as he guides the instruments to remove your gallbladder.
Robotic technology allows for better precision and accuracy. This surgery is the perfect blend of technology that allows for more precise, detailed work, combined with human experience and know-how.
If you’d like to learn more about the procedure, call Southwest Valley Surgical Associates or use the online scheduler to book a consultation.
