Itching After Gall Bladder Surgery

If you need gall bladder surgery for gallstones, your doctor will discuss the potential risks of the procedure with you. They include the chance you could experience itching after surgery.

Gall Bladder Surgery

Doctors perform gall bladder surgery by making an incision in your abdomen. Your doctor will sever the bile ducts and blood vessels attached to your gall bladder, and then remove it, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis occurs after gall bladder surgery if the bile ducts leading to the liver are damaged during the procedure, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. One symptom of cirrhosis is pruritis, intense itching that you could feel on your hands, feet, all over your body or even in the area of your internal organs.

Pain Medication

The Cleveland Clinic says if you are prescribed narcotic pain medication during your recovery from surgery, you could experience itching as a side effect of the medication.

Treatment

Itching caused by cirrhosis is treated with medications including analgesics and antihistamines. If your itching after gall bladder surgery is caused by medication, your doctor can prescribe another kind.

Considerations

Cirrhosis can cause complications including liver cancer and damage to your immune system. It is important to let your doctor know right away if you experience itching after gall bladder surgery.

References

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Cirrhosis
• Cleveland Clinic: Surgical Aftercare
• Hepatitis C Support Project: Pruritus
• MedlinePlus: Gallbladder Removal