Gallbladder, gallstones, pancreas and biliary tract surgery and disease

Many patients who experience abdominal pain in the right upper abdominal area have gallbladder problems- either gallstones or inflammation called cholecystitis. 

Years ago, the treatment for gallbladder pain, gallstones or  a gallbladder attack was an operation requiring a fairly large, painful incision, many days in the hospital and a lengthy recovery.

Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, this type of surgery can now usually be performed using a minimally invasive approach known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy which can usually be done as an ambulatory procedure.

HISTORY:

July 15, 1882- First Open Cholecystectomy, by German Surgeon Carl Johann August Langenbuch at the Lazarus Krankenhaus Hospital in Berlin

In  1987, Phillipe Mouret in Lyons, France received the credit for the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy which revolutionized American and worldwide General Surgery.

In fact, in 1985, the first Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy was likely performed by Dr. Erich Muhe in Germany,

The wonders of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center under anesthesia. Instead of big incision used in the past, four very small, almost invisible incisions are used to place small tubes (ports) through which a video camera and small instruments are used to remove the gallbladder and stones. Most patients are discharged the next morning, and often later the same day. Generally this procedure allows for prompt return to work and minimal need for pain medication.

Dr. Harris treats complex and routine:

• Right upper quadrant abdominal pain
• Abnormal liver tests
• Gallstones
• Sonogram (ultrasound) detected stones or tumors
• Common bile duct stones
• Acute cholecystitis
• Chronic cholecystitis
• Acute pancreatitis
• Gallstone pancreatitis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Pancreatic tumors
• Pancreatic pseudocysts