Jonathan Blood-smyth asked:
Care after the operation
Stitches and clips If the surgeon has used sub-cuticular clips then they do not need removal but if skin clips or stitches are employed then removal will be required at about a week after insertion. The small incisions are often controlled by using adhesive strips which gradually come off in whilst showering. Patients should be given clear advice on managing their wounds and stitches.
Recovery issues
Going home This depends on how fit the patient is, who is at home with them and how comfortable they are after the operation. Most patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be able to go home within 1 or 2 days of the operation. After an open operation it is common to need to stay a day or two longer. In general a person can go home as soon as they feel able to do so.
Analgesia and pain After a cholecystectomy patients vary in the discomfort they feel, with some having remarkably little pain but most with some symptoms of pain during the first three to four days. The sites of incision are the normal area but patients may experience shoulder pain which is usually secondary to irritation of the diaphragm during the procedure. These symptoms of discomfort settle as the absorption of carbon dioxide into the bloodstream completes. Typical advice is to use analgesia in the short period after the operation so that a gradual activity increase can occur and sleep achieved. By the fifth to the tenth day all the pain should have resolved. Open operative procedures lead to slightly slower recovery.
Having a bath and shower Soap and water can be applied to the wound area either by showering or having a bath after around two days. A transparent wound dressing is used by some surgeons, left in place for a while and washing or bathing can continue with it on. Patients will usually be advised about this. Swimming is best avoided for about ten days or so until wound healing is well advanced.
Getting up walking Patients can get up and walk around as soon as they wish and for as much as they wish. Due to some pain and stiffness they may not feel like walking longer distances for about seven days or so.
Driving a car Patients need to feel able and confident that they can control a car in an emergency situation before they drive, taking a few days to reach this point.
Sport, heavy lifting and work Return to work can be accomplished as soon as a patient feels comfortable enough to cope with the job demands. Home or part-time workers can usually resume work very soon after the event. Driving to work or spending a lot of the day on the feet delays work return for about two weeks. Full time work is usually achievable for most people after laparoscopic operation by ten days from the procedure but if they have had an open operation this will be a few days more.
Patients can get back to sport and other physical activity as soon as their discomfort allows. It is sensible to start these activities gradually and work steadily back to full fitness. Violent or contact sports are best avoided for about 1 month.
Side effects which might occur The sites where the telescopes have been inserted or the wound site in an open operation usually suffer some swelling, bruising and hardness. Fluid and blood collection under the wound causes the hardness and swelling initially, added to by the drawing together of the stitches and then by scar tissue formation.
What problems can occur after a cholecystectomy?
Haematoma The possibility of bleeding occurring has been mentioned already but at times there can be extensive bleeding if a small artery or vein under the wound bleeds for a while after the operation. This looks like a firm lump and usually settles down without treatment.
Wound infection A wound infection is possible but not common. Wound redness developing may necessitate the use of antibiotics. If the wound should drain pus then it may need reoperation to let out the infection.
Taking Tramadol
Care after the operation
Stitches and clips If the surgeon has used sub-cuticular clips then they do not need removal but if skin clips or stitches are employed then removal will be required at about a week after insertion. The small incisions are often controlled by using adhesive strips which gradually come off in whilst showering. Patients should be given clear advice on managing their wounds and stitches.
Recovery issues
Going home This depends on how fit the patient is, who is at home with them and how comfortable they are after the operation. Most patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be able to go home within 1 or 2 days of the operation. After an open operation it is common to need to stay a day or two longer. In general a person can go home as soon as they feel able to do so.
Analgesia and pain After a cholecystectomy patients vary in the discomfort they feel, with some having remarkably little pain but most with some symptoms of pain during the first three to four days. The sites of incision are the normal area but patients may experience shoulder pain which is usually secondary to irritation of the diaphragm during the procedure. These symptoms of discomfort settle as the absorption of carbon dioxide into the bloodstream completes. Typical advice is to use analgesia in the short period after the operation so that a gradual activity increase can occur and sleep achieved. By the fifth to the tenth day all the pain should have resolved. Open operative procedures lead to slightly slower recovery.
Having a bath and shower Soap and water can be applied to the wound area either by showering or having a bath after around two days. A transparent wound dressing is used by some surgeons, left in place for a while and washing or bathing can continue with it on. Patients will usually be advised about this. Swimming is best avoided for about ten days or so until wound healing is well advanced.
Getting up walking Patients can get up and walk around as soon as they wish and for as much as they wish. Due to some pain and stiffness they may not feel like walking longer distances for about seven days or so.
Driving a car Patients need to feel able and confident that they can control a car in an emergency situation before they drive, taking a few days to reach this point.
Sport, heavy lifting and work Return to work can be accomplished as soon as a patient feels comfortable enough to cope with the job demands. Home or part-time workers can usually resume work very soon after the event. Driving to work or spending a lot of the day on the feet delays work return for about two weeks. Full time work is usually achievable for most people after laparoscopic operation by ten days from the procedure but if they have had an open operation this will be a few days more.
Patients can get back to sport and other physical activity as soon as their discomfort allows. It is sensible to start these activities gradually and work steadily back to full fitness. Violent or contact sports are best avoided for about 1 month.
Side effects which might occur The sites where the telescopes have been inserted or the wound site in an open operation usually suffer some swelling, bruising and hardness. Fluid and blood collection under the wound causes the hardness and swelling initially, added to by the drawing together of the stitches and then by scar tissue formation.
What problems can occur after a cholecystectomy?
Haematoma The possibility of bleeding occurring has been mentioned already but at times there can be extensive bleeding if a small artery or vein under the wound bleeds for a while after the operation. This looks like a firm lump and usually settles down without treatment.
Wound infection A wound infection is possible but not common. Wound redness developing may necessitate the use of antibiotics. If the wound should drain pus then it may need reoperation to let out the infection.
Taking Tramadol
