A special X-ray prescribed to examine the bile ducts is known as an intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). It is mainly prescribed at the time of gallbladder removal surgery.
Reason to perform a cholangiogram
The reason to perform a cholangiogram is to examine the bile duct condition including the gallbladder by the surgeon to look for gallstones. Gallstones are the hardened material, mainly cholesterol deposits inside the gallbladder.
An individual may experience abdominal pain and inflammation in the bile duct due to gallstones and it can also create blockage in the bile ducts, even after removing the gallbladder.
How is a cholangiogram performed?
In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes few small incisions close to the surgical site to remove the gallbladder. Whereas open surgery is a traditional surgery with one large incision is made to remove the gallbladder. Prior to both the surgeries require general anesthesia.
To connect the gallbladder with the common bile duct, the surgeon embeds a catheter in one of the incisions. This allows the surgeon to infuse a special dye to view the bile duct on a monitor to remove the gallstones and look for other gallstones.
If this procedure indicates the gallstones, the surgeon can easily remove them during the surgery or schedule surgery for gallstones treatment.
How can I prepare for it?
In this examination, the patient doesn’t have to prepare for anything other than physical examination for gallbladder surgery, which include:
- Overall health examination.
- Don’t eat at least 12 hours prior to your surgery.
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic or taking any drugs.
- Avoid taking any blood-thinning medicines such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Recovery time after Cholangiogram
Recovery after intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) is normally easy and fast. But if you had gallbladder surgery you will need more time to recover based on the type of surgical procedure is used to remove the gallbladder. In laparoscopic surgery, the recovery time is less, and the patient can go home the same day. In few cases, you might need to stay for at least 24 hours or longer in the hospital until your health signs are good. In open surgery, you might need to stay for about a week or more in the hospital.
To speed up your recovery process and ensure recovery without problems, follow these guidelines:
- For breastfeeding mothers need to wait for about 24 hours to get the contrast fluid out from the body before feeding their child again.
- Take off from work and get ample rest after surgery also take medicines on time.
- Follow your dietary guideline suggested by your doctor and avoid oily, high calories meals.
- Make a diet plan for small frequent meals instead of one large meal.
After gallbladder surgery, your doctor will set up a follow-up appointment to examine for any left-over stones and flush any extra bile produced by the liver.
Risk of Cholangiogram
There is no associated risk intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). Besides, this procedure reduces the risk of complications during gallbladder removal surgery.
Risk factors associated with gallbladder surgery are:
- damage to bile ducts
- After surgery infection or internal bleeding
- Damage to bile ducts or nearby organs
- Pancreas inflammation
Every surgical procedure comes with possible risks. However, an intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) is performed during the gallbladder surgery to reduce the complications and other risk factors associated with gallstones.
Takeaway
An intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) allows the surgeon to examine the bile ducts and locate the left-over gallstones. This procedure has no risks, and it helps the surgeon to reduce complications during the surgery. For more information on cholangiogram, gallstones, gallbladder surgery and consultation. Please contact our healthcare expert today at +1 (817) 748-0200. You can also make an online appointment with us.
Follow us on Facebook