Yaz Gallbladder Disease: Postcholecystectomy Syndrome?

by Symptom Advice on September 2, 2010

Doctors often recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy to resolve Yaz gallbladder disease. This is a surgical procedure during which your gallbladder’s connections to nearby structures are cut and the organ is removed.

Doctors often recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy to resolve Yaz gallbladder disease. This is a surgical procedure during which your gallbladder’s connections to nearby structures are cut and the organ is removed. Doctors often downplay the risks involved. yet many women have suffered dangerous bile duct injuries, infection, and other problems as a result of undergoing the procedure.

Some women have also experienced a condition known as postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). It is characterized by the same symptoms that are present during a Yaz gallbladder attack. Estimates suggest PCS occurs in 5% to 40% of patients who undergo gall bladder removal surgery. the condition can be serious. So too, can the consequences of leaving the underlying cause untreated.

Possible PCS Symptoms Following Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome vary by patient. you may experience the same type of abdominal pain present with symptomatic Yaz gallstones. you might also suffer nausea, bloating, and persistent diarrhea. Jaundice, often present in severe cases of gallbladder disease, is rare with PCS, though still possible.

These symptoms may continue to present immediately following a cholecystectomy, or they can emerge years – even decades – down the road. Identifying their root cause is often problematic since they can be set off by one of many possible triggers.

What causes Symptoms Associated With PCS?

The most common problems associated with PCS occur due to changes in the way bile flows to the small intestine. Bile is normally stored in the gall bladder where it is concentrated for use in digestion. when food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts, pushing the concentrated fluid into the common bile duct.

Following the removal of the gall bladder, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. This causes the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract to have continuous exposure to bile fluid. Doctors suspect this exposure can lead to gastritis and in some cases, esophagitis. Both conditions may present symptoms similar to gallbladder disease.

Another possible cause of PCS-related symptoms is sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. the sphincter of Oddi is a small group of muscles located near the bottom of the bile duct. It controls the passage of bile (as well as pancreatic secretions) into the duodenum. If it fails to work properly following a cholecystectomy, fluids may be prevented from flowing into the small intestine. instead, bile fluid and digestive enzymes from the pancreas will be trapped within the duct. This can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Because symptoms similar to Yaz gallbladder disease may indicate a serious health risk – for example, pancreatitis or infection – seeking medical attention is critical.

Treating the Underlying Issue

Your doctor will need to perform a thorough examination to diagnose the root cause for symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Treatment depends entirely upon the triggers indicated by this diagnosis.

For example, if sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is causing the pain, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with balloon dilation of the sphincter muscles can be done. If the root of the problem is gastritis, antacids and proton pump inhibitors can be given to provide a measure of relief. Bile duct stones, duct leaks, strictures, irritable bowel syndrome, and many other problems can potentially cause PCS symptoms. Each is addressed differently, either with medications, through surgery, or both.

Yaz gallbladder disease typically results in the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Even though the operation is common, it poses risks. Bile duct injury may allow bile fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing infection and pain; strictures may cause bile to back up to the liver, eventually damaging the organ; sphincter of Oddi dysfunction can prevent bile and pancreatic secretions from entering the small intestine. These problems can be dangerous.

If you have suffered gallstones, gallbladder disease, or postcholecystectomy syndrome after using Yaz birth control, contact a Yaz attorney. you may have the legal right to file a claim for compensation.

Resources:

John Simpson is the author of this article on Yaz Gallbladder Settlement. find more information about Yaz Lawsuit Gallbladder here.

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