Re: Gallstone surgery

From: Howard Homler (howardhomler_at_netscape.net)
Date: 03/06/05 

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 12:27:21 -0800

On 5 Mar 2005 07:30:08 -0800, "Hélène" <helene@rogerhewett.com> wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I have just been diagnosed with gallstones. I expect to have surgery
>shortly. I have a few questions for anyone who has experienced this
>sort of problem.
>
>I am in my early forties, living in Canada. The stones, detected by
>ultrasound, are up to 2cms in diameter.
>
>Are stones of this size too large for a laparoscopy?
>What size stones, whilst waiting for the surgery, could be a potential
>danger for blockage?
>Are there any dietary concerns I should consider meanwhile?
>What are the concerns I should have over this type of surgery
>(gallbladder removal)?
>
>Any words of wisdom would be most welcome!
>
>Many thanks!

Smaller gallstones are more likely to cause bad trouble by plugging up
the common bile duct, but the ones that you have could certainly cause
pain by blocking the cystic duct. I assume you've had symptoms from
your gallstones (pain), as we don't usually operate on gallstones
unless they are causing a problem. You should be able to have a
laparoscopic surgery, unless you have had previous abdominal surgeries
in the mid to upper abdomen. The best time to have surgery is before
you have another attack, since emergent surgeries or the need to
remove stones from the common bile duct is generally associated with
some increased risk. H2

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