Risks of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Like any surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy carries some risks, although serious complications are rare. Here’s what you should be aware of:
Shoulder Pain: After the operation, you may experience shoulder tip pain due to the gas used to inflate the abdomen. This is common and typically goes away within 24 hours
Infection: There is a small risk of infection at the incision sites or internally. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, or discharge at the wound site, as well as fever
Bleeding: As with any surgery, there’s a risk of bleeding, which might require a blood transfusion, especially if you’re on blood-thinning medications.
Bile Duct Injury: In about 1 in 300 cases, the bile duct may be accidentally injured, which can lead to bile leakage or blockage. This might require additional surgery to correct
Blood Clots (DVT/PE): Blood clots can develop in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), though this risk is reduced by using anti-embolism stockings during surgery.
Retained Stones: Sometimes a gallstone may be left in the bile duct even after surgery, which could require another procedure to remove it.
Conversion to Open Surgery: In about 3-5% of cases, the surgeon may need to switch from a laparoscopic procedure to open surgery if complications arise, like excessive scarring or difficulty accessing the gallbladder
While these risks exist, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally very safe, and most patients recover without any major issues.. Always consult your surgeon to discuss any personal risk factors before surgery.