New Procedure Make May Gallbladder Surgery Even Safer
Thanks to its fast, minimally invasive nature, laparoscopic gallbladder removal has become the industry standard. This procedure is known to present with fewer risks than open surgery while enabling patients to heal significantly faster. It is, however, not without a potential for complications. Perhaps the most devastating is the propensity for accidental bile duct injury due to misidentification during the procedures. A new technology is poised to take this concern off the table.
The new imaging method, known as CholeVision, is under development by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It involves the use of a special light that enables, with the flip of a button, doctors to clearly see the location of the bile ducts. This, in turn, enables them to avoid accidental injury to the ducts during gallbladder removal. It is estimated that about 4,000 of 800,000 gallbladder removal procedures in the United States alone result in duct damage. The light is hoped to dramatically reduce this number or eliminate it entirely.
How soon CholeVision will result in a dedicated tool to enable surgeons to avoid bile ducts remains unclear. Testing has shown, however, that the simple light is extremely effective in enabling surgeons to accurately detect their location.
Gallbladder surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in hospitals across the country and the world. People who suffer from chronic gallbladder conditions often find the only relief available is the complete removal of this organ. Although it plays an important role in digestion, the body can function perfectly well without it. For those with gallstones and other painful conditions, removal is often seen as an absolute must to improve quality of life.
Those who suffer from gallbladder issues are urged to speak with their healthcare providers. Surgical removal may be the best option to address chronic pain.
The new imaging method, known as CholeVision, is under development by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It involves the use of a special light that enables, with the flip of a button, doctors to clearly see the location of the bile ducts. This, in turn, enables them to avoid accidental injury to the ducts during gallbladder removal. It is estimated that about 4,000 of 800,000 gallbladder removal procedures in the United States alone result in duct damage. The light is hoped to dramatically reduce this number or eliminate it entirely.
How soon CholeVision will result in a dedicated tool to enable surgeons to avoid bile ducts remains unclear. Testing has shown, however, that the simple light is extremely effective in enabling surgeons to accurately detect their location.
Gallbladder surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in hospitals across the country and the world. People who suffer from chronic gallbladder conditions often find the only relief available is the complete removal of this organ. Although it plays an important role in digestion, the body can function perfectly well without it. For those with gallstones and other painful conditions, removal is often seen as an absolute must to improve quality of life.
Those who suffer from gallbladder issues are urged to speak with their healthcare providers. Surgical removal may be the best option to address chronic pain.
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