Future trends in gallbladder surgery: Exploring the era of robotics

 

Small stones forming due to a mixture of calcium salts, bile pigments and crystallisation of excess cholesterol within the gallbladder are termed gallstones. Usually affecting people of more than 50 years of age, this is a digestive system-related disorder. These stones may cause pancreatic infection and other complications such as duct blockage. A person experiencing problems due to the presence of gallstones may visit a doctor who might suggest undergoing gallstones surgery or robotic surgery.

 

When is surgery required?

Not all gallstones cause problems in the body and require treatment as they might be silent gallstones. However, a majority of people diagnosed with gallstones and with visible symptoms require prompt treatment which is usually surgery. The symptoms indicating gallstones and highlighting the need for surgery or Da Vinci robotic surgery include:

 

●     Sudden abdominal pain on the right side

●     Right shoulder pain

●     Diarrhoea and dark urine

●     Acidity and burping

●     Vomiting

 

Diagnosing gallstones

Doctors generally recommend undergoing a few tests and examinations that can help diagnose the presence of gallstones or complications arising due to the same.

 

Blood examinations

This can help reveal inflammation or infection in the pancreas or any other complication that might arise due to gallstones and help the doctor suggest for the surgical removal of the kidney.

 

Abdominal ultrasound

A commonly used procedure for diagnosing gallstones, the transducer used in an abdominal ultrasound displays the images of the abdominal structures on a computer screen. This aids the doctor in diagnosing gallstones as he or she can clearly view the internal abdominal structures and check for any other complications as well.

 

Imaging scans

A CT scan, cholecystography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), HIDA scan or MRI scan are some other examinations that help detect gallstones. While performing ERCP, the doctor can decide to remove any gallstones found during diagnosis or suggest robotic gallbladder removal

 

ERCP

The doctor will pass a thin tube called an endoscope, which has an attached camera, through the throat to reach the intestine. The catheter allows the dye to pass through the endoscopic tube into the pancreatic ducts. This kind of imaging scan highlights the ducts on the x-ray images because of the use of a dye.

 

Types of surgery for gallstones removal

Cholecystectomy is a surgery meant for the safe gallbladder removal and to get rid of the gallstones that might be causing problems in the body. The surgeon may either opt for an open surgery or a robotic surgery to remove the gallstones within the gallbladder.

 

Open cholecystectomy

If the gallbladder has inflammation, infection or scarring due to other medical procedures then open cholecystectomy is an option. A surgeon might also choose an open surgery in case of poor visibility to the internal structures and in overweight patients.

 

Robotic surgery

Robotic gallbladder removal surgery takes up to 1 hour to complete the procedure with the use of the advanced Da Vinci surgical robot. While traditional laparoscopic surgery requires a lot of time and the need for hospitalization, it is not the same while performing a robotic surgery. The surgeon will make a small incision to introduce a thin tube with robotic arms & a camera inside the body.

 

The surgeon will guide the robotic arm movement through the console and remove the gallstones with precision. The 3-D view of the internal body structures on the computer screen attached to the camera allows the surgeon to access the surgical site and perform the surgery without any errors. The surgeon can easily perform gallbladder removal through the given incision.

 

Recovery from robotic surgery 

The recovery period after robotic surgery for gallstones removal is shorter when compared to traditional surgery. Although nausea & vomiting are common symptoms after any surgery, postoperative pain will be quite lesser.

●     If the patient has no complications, the surgeon will allow them to go home on the same day after the surgery.

●     One can get back to routine yet light physical activities within a week after the surgery.

●     Robotic surgery for kidney removal allows progressive recovery after reaching home and taking proper rest.

 

Benefits of robotic gallbladder surgery

●     Robotic surgery offers accuracy and precision.

●     Lower risk of infections and other complications like excessive bleeding.

●     Less discomfort and pain thereby eliminating the need for medications.

●     Shorter stay at the hospital with a quick recovery after the surgery.

●     The robotic surgery cost is only a little higher than the open surgery but comes with lesser risks.

 

Sohana Hospital has the advanced Da Vinci Xi Robotic surgery for the safe and precise removal of gallstones. The experienced surgeons at the hospital have a proven track record of successfully performing gallbladder removal surgeries. Our efficient doctors are backed by a team of dedicated technicians, nurses, anaesthetists, and radiologists who ensure total comfort of the patient at every stage.