Jun 19,2023

Performing Endoscopic Surgery For Complicated Gallstones

Duc T. Nguyen

Gallstones are a very common surgical disease in Vietnam. They can cause serious complications if not detected and treated early. In this newsletter, we will share with you a remarkable case of endoscopic surgery for a patient with complicated gallstones at Nam Can Tho University Medical Center.

The patient’s condition

The patient was Phan Thi M., a 79-year-old woman living in Phong Dien - Can Tho. She was admitted to the Medical Center on June 13, 2023, with abdominal pain in the lower right rib area, high fever, and jaundice.

She had a history of open surgery to treat gallstones 27 years ago. The doctors at the Department of Surgery consulted, treated antibiotics, pain relief for the patient and gradually prepared surgical options.

The surgical procedure

Surgeons use an endoscope to remove stones from the common bile duct
and treat necrotic cholecystitis. (Photo DNC Studio)

The doctors performed abdominal endoscopy, difficult adhesion removal surgery due to previous surgery. They found that the patient had both common bile duct stones and necrotic gallbladder due to stones.

Common bile duct stones cause biliary obstruction with symptoms of pain, fever, and jaundice. Gallbladder stones have more vague symptoms with dull pain in the lower right abdomen, and do not cause biliary obstruction. Gallbladder stones when complicated will cause inflammation, increased pressure inside the gallbladder, if left for a long time will cause necrosis. This is an emergency, requiring timely surgical intervention.

The doctors opened the common bile duct and removed many stones causing biliary obstruction, while removing the necrotic gallbladder. In the gallbladder, there were many stones including a large stone with a diameter of up to 3cm.

The gallbladder was removed along with many gallstones.

The postoperative recovery

After surgery, the patient moved lightly, ate well, had little pain, and had an abdominal drainage tube removed on day 2. Currently postoperative day 5, the patient moves well, no longer has symptoms of pain, fever, has significantly reduced jaundice. The patient will be checked for biliary tract and discharged in a few days.

The benefits of endoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a method applied for most cases with indications of gallstone removal. The doctor will make 3-4 small incisions on the abdomen (about 1cm) and insert an endoscope to remove the gallbladder.

Endoscopic surgery has many advantages over open surgery, for examples:

• Less pain and bleeding.
• Faster recovery and shorter Medical Center stay.
• Less risk of infection and complications.
• Better cosmetic results.

According to doctors of the Department of General Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery of Nam Can Tho University Medical Center, gallstones are a common disease that can be easily treated with endoscopic surgery. With modern equipment and good surgeons, even if the patient has had open surgery before, endoscopic surgery can still be successfully applied.

How to prevent gallstones

Gallstones are formed when bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, or when the gallbladder does not empty properly. Some factors that increase the risk of gallstones are:

• Being overweight or obese.
• Eating a high-fat or high-cholesterol diet.
• Having diabetes or liver disease.
• Being female or over 40 years old.
• Having a family history of gallstones.

To prevent gallstones, you should:

• Maintain a healthy weight and lose weight gradually if needed.
• Eat a balanced diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
• Exercise regularly.
• See your doctor annually for check-ups.

Contact us for more information

Nam Can Tho University Medical Center is one of the reputable healthcare providers in the Mekong Delta region that provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for various diseases. We have a team of experienced doctors and specialists as well as modern equipment and facilities that meet international standards.

We are committed to providing high-quality care and service to our patients with respect and compassion. We are always ready to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. We also offer affordable prices and convenient payment methods.

If you have any questions or concerns about gallstones and endoscopic surgery, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at 0907-365-115 or leave a comment below our Facebook Page.

Thank you for choosing Nam Can Tho University Medical Center as your trusted partner in health care.

Nam Can Tho University Medical Center

Amiable - Devoted and Improving Well-being

Your Health, Our Priority

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