What is gallbladder surgery

The liver makes bile, a substance that helps the body break down and absorb fats. The gallbladder then stores the extra bile the liver makes.

It releases bile when you eat a meal with fats that need to be digested. Normal digestion is possible without a gallbladder. According to the Mayo Clinic , laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common type of gallbladder removal surgery performed. However, open gallbladder surgeries are still used for a variety of people, especially those who have scar tissue or other anatomical complications from prior abdominal surgeries.

Bile can be thick and create blockages along the pathway where it typically empties. The gallbladder is also prone to develop gallstones in certain people. Gallstones are hard deposits of substances in the bile that can get stuck inside the gallbladder and biliary ducts.

They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Gallstones can also lead to acute or chronic gallbladder inflammation, sometimes with an associated infection, which can cause:. A surgeon will remove your gallbladder if gallstones cause significant pain and other complications. A doctor will recommend gallbladder removal if your gallbladder is causing a severe, acute problem or has become a chronic concern. Some symptoms that may indicate the need for gallbladder removal include:.

Sometimes a doctor will recommend watchful waiting to see if gallbladder-related symptoms lessen. Diet changes, such as reducing overall fat intake, may also help. If symptoms persist, a doctor may recommend surgery. Open gallbladder removal is considered a safe operation. Complications are rare. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks. Before the procedure, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination and medical history to minimize these risks.

Your surgeon will explain these risks to you and give you the chance to ask questions prior to the procedure. These will include blood tests and imaging tests of your gallbladder. You may need to have additional imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray or an EKG , depending on your medical history. Complications that may require prompt medical treatment include: biliary colic — a gallstone can move from the body of the gallbladder into its neck cystic duct , leading to obstruction.

Symptoms include severe pain and fever inflammation of the gallbladder cholecystitis — a gallstone blocks the gallbladder duct, leading to infection and inflammation of the gallbladder. Their urine may also turn orange or brown pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas, caused by a blocked bile duct low down near the pancreas.

Pancreatic enzymes irritate and burn the pancreas and leak out into the abdominal cavity cholangitis — inflammation of the bile ducts, which occurs when a bile duct becomes blocked by a gallstone and the bile becomes infected. This causes pain, fever, jaundice and rigors shaking infection of the liver cancer of the gallbladder occurs rarely. Treatment depends on the size and location of the gallstones, but may include: dietary modifications — such as limiting or eliminating fatty foods and dairy products lithotripsy — a special machine generates soundwaves to shatter the gallstones.

This treatment is used in certain centres only, for the minority of people with small and soft stones medications — some medications can dissolve gallstones, but this treatment is only rarely given, due to side effects and a variable success rate surgery. Surgical removal of the gallbladder or gallstones Around 80 per cent of people with gallstone symptoms will need surgery.

The surgeon makes a number of small incisions cuts through the skin, allowing access for a range of instruments. The surgeon removes the gallbladder through one of the incisions open surgery laparotomy — the surgeon reaches the gallbladder through a wider abdominal incision.

You might need open surgery if you have scarring from prior operations or a bleeding disorder. Medical factors to consider before cholecystectomy Before the operation, you need to discuss some things with your doctor or surgeon, including: your medical history, since some pre-existing conditions may influence decisions on surgery and anaesthetic any medications you take on a regular basis, including over-the-counter preparations any bad reactions or side effects from any medications.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy The general procedure includes: The surgeon makes a number of small incisions into your abdomen, so that slender instruments can reach into the abdominal cavity. A tube blowing a gentle stream of carbon dioxide gas is inserted.

This separates the abdominal wall from the underlying organs. The surgeon views the gallbladder on a TV monitor by using a tiny camera attached to the laparoscope. Special x-rays cholangiograms during the operation can check for gallstones wedged in the bile ducts. The ducts and artery that service the gallbladder are clipped shut. These clips are permanent. The gallbladder is cut free using either laser or electrocautery The gallbladder, along with its load of gallstones, is pulled out of the body through one of the abdominal incisions.

The instruments and the carbon dioxide gas are removed from the abdominal cavity. The incisions are sutured closed up and covered with dressings. Open gallbladder surgery The general procedure is the same as for laparoscopic surgery, except that the surgeon reaches the gallbladder through a large, single incision in the abdominal wall. Immediately after gallbladder surgery After a gallbladder operation, you can expect to: feel mild pain in your shoulder from the carbon dioxide gas receive pain-relieving medications be encouraged to cough regularly to clear your lungs from the general anaesthetic be encouraged to walk around as soon as you feel able stay overnight in hospital, if you had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy stay up to eight days in hospital, if you had open surgery.

Complications after gallbladder surgery All surgery carries some degree of risk. It shows the inside of the body using sound waves. You are awake during the test, and it does not hurt.

The HIDA scan uses an injection of dye to show how well your gallbladder and bile duct are working. Taking the gallbladder out is usually the best way to treat gallbladder problems. You might get some relief from changing your diet. For example, eating less fat can help. But gallstones rarely go away on their own. You might have heard about treatments to break up gallstones or make them melt away dissolve.

Unfortunately, these do not usually work well. Laparoscopic gallbladder removal might be the right choice for you because it is the most common type of gallbladder surgery. It might not be an option if:. Ask your family doctor or other health care provider if this surgery is right for you.

You should also talk with a surgeon who is trained and qualified to do laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. They can help you decide. You will need a full physical examination. You might need some tests to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.

The surgeon who will do your laparoscopic gallbladder removal will talk with you about the risks and benefits of surgery. Then you will sign a form saying you understand and agree to the operation.

The exact instructions depend on your surgeon, but here are some common things to do. You will need someone to drive you home from surgery. You will also need someone to stay with you overnight.

Ask your doctor or nurse how much help you might need. You will have general anesthesia for your laparoscopic gallbladder removal. This means you are asleep during surgery. When surgery is finished, the surgeon closes your incisions with tiny stitches, staples, surgical tape or glue. These disappear as you heal, so the doctor does not need to remove them later. Once you are asleep, the surgeon makes an incision near your belly button and inserts a small device called a port.

The port creates an opening that your surgeon can use to fill the abdomen with gas. This creates space to do the operation. If there were problems during surgery, or if you have bleeding, a lot of pain, or a fever, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. Cholecystectomy - laparoscopic; Gallbladder - laparoscopic surgery; Gallstones - laparoscopic surgery; Cholecystitis - laparoscopic surgery. Biliary system. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Rocha FG, Clanton J. Technique of cholecystectomy: open and minimally invasive.

In: Jarnagin WR, ed. Updated by: Debra G. Editorial team. Laparoscopic gallbladder removal. The operation is done the following way: The surgeon makes 3 to 4 small cuts in your belly. The laparoscope is inserted through one of the cuts. Other medical instruments are inserted through the other cuts.