How Long Does a Postcholecystectomy Syndrome Last?

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A single-port cholecystectomy involves the removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) using a single-port laparoscopic surgery.

A postcholecystectomy syndrome occurs when abdominal symptoms arise after gallbladder surgery. This syndrome is temporary and heals with medications. The most common symptoms of a postcholecystectomy syndrome include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Persistent pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen
• Gas 

If pain is persistent, then there may be other underlying conditions of the gallbladder.

What is a single-port surgery?

A single-port surgery is a surgery that is performed through a single port or incision (cut) in the navel. It is a minimally invasive surgery compared with traditional laparoscopic surgery. Major advantages of using a single-port surgery are

• minimal scarring,
• less discomfort,
• faster recovery and
• fewer complications.

What is a single-port cholecystectomy?

A single-port cholecystectomy involves the removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) using a single-port laparoscopic surgery. This surgery results in less pain and a shorter hospital stay. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ situated below the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen. The main function of the gallbladder is to collect and store bile—a digestive fluid produced in the liver.

Why is a single-port cholecystectomy done?

Physicians may recommend a single-port cholecystectomy to treat the following conditions:

• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Cholelithiasis (gallstones in the gallbladder)
• Gallbladder polyp (a cancerous or noncancerous tumor in the gallbladder)
• Biliary dyskinesia (the gallbladder does not empty bile correctly)
• Biliary colic (dull pain in the middle to the upper right area of the abdomen)

How is a single-port cholecystectomy performed?

Before the procedure

• Enlist all your medical and medication history to the physician.
• You need to refrain from eating eight hours before the surgery.
• Moreover, stop taking certain medications before the surgery.

During the procedure

A single-port cholecystectomy is generally performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a 2-cm incision through the center of the navel. The surgeon accesses the abdominal cavity and blows carbon dioxide into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon removes the gallbladder using special instruments and places it in a retrieval bag. The bag is removed, and the incisions are closed.

After the procedure

• You may feel pain at the incision site, which is very common.
• You can take pain-reliever medications to relieve pain.
• You may feel nauseated or throw up after the surgery.
• You can resume your normal activities about a week after the surgery.

How serious is gallbladder surgery?

The overall risk of this surgery is very low. A single-port cholecystectomy is generally safe and effective. The most common serious complications include infection of the incision and internal bleeding.

Other complications of gallbladder surgery include:

• Hernias
• Blood clots
• Damage to nearby organs
• Leakage of bile into the abdomen
• Gallstones left in the bile duct
• Abdominal adhesions (formation of scar tissue in the abdomen)