Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Decie Collier
Case Study
Brown Mackie College
17 May 2012
Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy
With a length of about 8cm and a diameter of roughly 4cm, the gallbladder is among the smallest of organs in the digestive system (WebMD, 2011). Although it is small in stature, it is mighty big in terms of functionality and importance to the whole human body. This small pocket of tissues is located just beneath the liver and serves as not only the liver-small intestine go-between, but also a collection tank for the bodily fluid bile. Bile, a bitter, yellow fluid, is a digestive enzyme that is produced by the liver to help in the breakdown of ingested fats (WebMD, 2011). The liver, gallbladder, and small intestine are connected via small channels, or ducts, and when the liver produces bile, some is funneled directly into the small intestine, but most is diverted into the gallbladder. When in the gallbladder, bile is then squirted down into the small intestine, in varying amounts, as needed. Amazingly, these ducts are not just one way channels starting from the liver and eventually ending in the small intestine; they are actually two-way streets that allow bile to be filtered back into the gallbladder when pressure in the small intestine mounts due to the production of excess bile. Although this process resembles a flawless system, mishaps can still occur. For reasons unknown to scientists, bile within the gallbladder can sometimes crystallize and harden, forming what are known as gallstones. Multiple gallstones cause Cholecystitis, or severe inflammation of the gallbladder (WebMD, 2011) Cholecystitis causes debilitating pain and profuse vomiting in the individuals it infects. When something goes awry within the gallbladder or ductwork, removal surgery is the most common resolution because one cannot “pass” a gallstone similar to how one would a kidney stone. For this case study, Cecilee M. L. James was just age 18 when she endured textbook gallbladder attacks
Case Study
Brown Mackie College
17 May 2012
Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy
With a length of about 8cm and a diameter of roughly 4cm, the gallbladder is among the smallest of organs in the digestive system (WebMD, 2011). Although it is small in stature, it is mighty big in terms of functionality and importance to the whole human body. This small pocket of tissues is located just beneath the liver and serves as not only the liver-small intestine go-between, but also a collection tank for the bodily fluid bile. Bile, a bitter, yellow fluid, is a digestive enzyme that is produced by the liver to help in the breakdown of ingested fats (WebMD, 2011). The liver, gallbladder, and small intestine are connected via small channels, or ducts, and when the liver produces bile, some is funneled directly into the small intestine, but most is diverted into the gallbladder. When in the gallbladder, bile is then squirted down into the small intestine, in varying amounts, as needed. Amazingly, these ducts are not just one way channels starting from the liver and eventually ending in the small intestine; they are actually two-way streets that allow bile to be filtered back into the gallbladder when pressure in the small intestine mounts due to the production of excess bile. Although this process resembles a flawless system, mishaps can still occur. For reasons unknown to scientists, bile within the gallbladder can sometimes crystallize and harden, forming what are known as gallstones. Multiple gallstones cause Cholecystitis, or severe inflammation of the gallbladder (WebMD, 2011) Cholecystitis causes debilitating pain and profuse vomiting in the individuals it infects. When something goes awry within the gallbladder or ductwork, removal surgery is the most common resolution because one cannot “pass” a gallstone similar to how one would a kidney stone. For this case study, Cecilee M. L. James was just age 18 when she endured textbook gallbladder attacks