Benefits and Risks of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the most common way of removing a gallbladder. You might need your gallbladder removed for any number of reasons, such as it is not functioning properly or you have a serious problem with gallstones. Regardless of why you need your gallbladder removed, laparascopy is often the best and safest way to remove it.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal has faster recovery time and less pain than traditional open surgery for gallbladder removal. However, even though laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is less invasive than open surgery, there are still risks.

Risks of Laparoscopic Removal of the Gallbladder

There are a number of risks involved with laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder. The most common include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Cutting or nicking the bile duct
• Damage to the small intestine.

Some other less common risks include:

• Cystic duct injury
• Gallstones remain in the body
• Bile leakage
• Cutting the liver

When is Injury During Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Medical Malpractice?

If you suffer an injury during your laparoscopic gallbladder removal, it does not always mean that the doctor committed medical malpractice. Some injuries are simply risks of the procedure.  However, there are occasions when the doctor or hospital engaged in negligence, and serious injuries resulted.  In those cases, you might have a malpractice claim.

Common causes of medical malpractice during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery include:

• Failure to notice and repair damage that occurs during the surgery
• Causing damage due to a lack of proper experience, training or supervision
• Providing the incorrect amount of anesthesia
• Not providing appropriate treatment for infection or potential infection
• Failure to provide proper follow-up care

If you have been seriously injured during laparoscopy due to negligent actions by your doctor or the hospital, please contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams. We will discuss your case and give you our honest opinion.