Currently women who have suffered from Yaz and gallbladder side effects are continuing to come forward and making claims against the manufacturer. Many individuals and families are wondering about the status of the litigation and wondering if they can be part of a Yaz gallbladder settlement. The multi-district litigation is moving forward and more information is being requested from the manufacturer through the discovery process. There have not been any Yaz gallbladder settlements at this point in the lawsuits.

Some women who are using Yaz birth control pills risk developing gallbladder disease. It can present in the form of gallstones (known as cholelithiasis) or inflammation (known as cholecystitis). In both cases, when symptoms manifest, doctors will usually recommend that the gallbladder be surgically removed. This is done through a procedure called cholecystectomy. While it is one of the most common forms of surgery performed on women, there are risks involved.

Below, I’ll explain how cholecystectomy is performed, and highlight the differences between an open versus minimally invasive laparoscopic approach. I’ll also describe circumstances that may force the surgeon to abandon a laparoscopic strategy for open surgery during the procedure.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Once Yaz gallbladder disease has become symptomatic, your doctor will suggest having the organ removed. The procedure involves severing the gallbladder’s connection to the cystic and common bile ducts. The organ is then separated from the liver and extracted.

Open cholecystectomy was considered a standard approach to gallbladder removal through the 1980s. It is an invasive procedure during which a surgeon makes a long incision (up to eight inches) into your abdomen. The sides of the incision are spread apart to provide access to the organ and surrounding tissue. Surgical instruments are inserted through the incision to cut through the abdominal muscles, and severe the connections that are attached to the gallbladder. The organ is then removed.

Open gallbladder surgery has largely been replaced by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive procedure. The surgeon will expand your abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide gas in order to provide additional space in which to work. Then, several small incisions (less than one inch) are made into your abdomen. A thin instrument called a laparoscope is inserted through one of the incisions. A tiny camera affixed to the top of the laparoscope sends magnified images to a video monitor.

While the surgeon examines the area by watching the monitor, he will insert additional instruments to separate your gallbladder from its surrounding structure. The organ is extracted through the largest of the incisions.

Because a laparoscopic approach in less invasive than open surgery, your recovery time is shorter and there is less postoperative discomfort. That said, the procedure usually takes longer to perform.

Converting To Open Cholecystectomy During The Procedure

In some cases, the surgeon will need to convert to open cholecystectomy after beginning a laparoscopic approach. The most common reasons are infection or scar tissue. A transition to open surgery may also be necessary if common bile duct stones are present; it is often difficult to remove them with laparoscopy. If the wall of your gallbladder has thickened, or the surrounding structure is not sufficiently visible using the camera on the laparoscope, the surgeon may likewise need to abandon laparoscopy.

Side Effects Of Yaz Gallbladder Removal

Surgical removal of your gallbladder – through both open surgery and laparoscopy – will usually result in nausea and vomiting. Both can be treated with medications. Far more serious is potential damage to your common bile duct during the procedure. It’s worth noting that injury to the bile duct is more prevalent during laparoscopy than open surgery. In either case, when damage occurs, it must be treated with further surgery.

There is also a chance that the surgeon will miss stones while removing your gallbladder. If stones are left within the abdominal cavity, they can cause an obstruction, infection, and other serious problems.

Even in the event that cholecystectomy is performed successfully without complications, you might need to adjust your diet. Diarrhea and digestive problems are common side effects of gallbladder removal surgery due to increased levels of bile acids that move into your small intestine.

Should You File A Yaz Gallbladder Disease Lawsuit?

Healthy women who have never experienced problems with their gall bladders have suffered gallbladder disease after taking Yaz birth control pills. If you have developed gallstones or had your gallbladder removed after using this oral contraceptive, contact an attorney handling Yaz gallbladder lawsuits. You may have a legal right to file a claim against the manufacturer.