Postoperative Care of the Patient with Complications: Ileus

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Postoperative Care of the Patient with Complications: Ileus

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally evasive procedure to remove the gallbladder or gallstones. The patient will be put under general anesthesia then the abdomen will be inflated with air. The gallbladder is then removed through a small incision near the umbilicus. There are fewer complications when using a laparoscopic approach, but it is not without its draw backs. Nurses and doctors must work together to treat the postoperative complications of this surgery.

Generally laparoscopic procedures have fewer risks than there open surgery counterparts, but as with any surgery there are still dangers. According to the booklet published by The American Society for Reproductive Medicine post-operative bladder infection is a common risk associated with laparoscopy surgeries. (Nnama, 2013) Trauma and infection can occur during the operation or during insertion of medical equipment required to do the procedure. Prophylaxis are used to prevent infection. During the surgery it is also possible to puncture an organ and have contents of the bowel leak in the cavity of the abdomen. This is a very serious complication and will lead to the patient having to go for an open abdomen surgery to fix the tear. Patients with a bowel tear will most often present postoperatively after discharge with peritonitis. (Krishnakumar & Tambe, 2009)

A postoperative ileus is another complication of undergoing abdominal surgery. Autonomic nervous dysfunction is thought to be the lead factor in causing postoperative ileus. The sympathetic nervous system becomes over active during the time after surgery. This causes a reduced release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and increased ...

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Chamberlain, R., & Martindale, R. (2007, October 31). The role of the surgeon and the surgical care team: proactive strategies for preventing postoperative ileus. Evidence-based Management of Postoperative Ileus, 1-7. Retrieved from www.esng-meded.com/surgerynews/e-supplement_001.pdf

Keefe, S. (2005). Postoperative ileus. Retrieved from http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Article/Postoperative-Ileus.aspx

Krishnakumar, S., & Tambe, P. (2009). Entry complications in laparoscopic surgery. Journal of Gynecological Endoscopy and Surgery, 1(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0974-1216.51900

Nnama, H. (2013). Complications after laparoscopic surgery. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/234791-complications-after-laparoscopic-surgery/

Stoppler, M. (2013). Electrolytes. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/electrolytes/article.htm#what_are_electrolytes

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