Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is the Gallbladder?PurposeTypes of SurgeryBefore SurgerySurgical ProcedureAfter SurgeryComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is the Gallbladder?
Purpose
Types of Surgery
Before Surgery
Surgical Procedure
After Surgery
Complications
Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S. According to a 2017 review of current best practices study, 1.2 million removal procedures are done each year in the U.S.
Gallstones are the most common reason for this surgery, but it may be done for a variety of diseases of the gallbladder. There are two main types of cholecystectomy surgery—a minimally-invasive laparascopic procedure and an open procedure. Learn more about this surgery.
jacoblund / Getty Images
Thegallbladderis a pear-shaped, hollow organ located just under the liver on the right side of the abdomen. It serves as a reservoir to store and secrete bile into the small intestine. The liver makes the bile (a thick yellowish-green liquid) and then it travels through a system of tube-like structures called bile ducts to be either stored in the gallbladder (for later use) or secreted into the small intestine to help break down ingested fats.
Purpose of Cholecystectomy
Gallstones
An abnormal condition called cholelithiasis (or gallstones) is one of the most common reasons for having a cholecystectomy. Substances in the bile can become solid, forming hard stones of various sizes (from very small grain-like stones to stones the size of golf balls). These stones result from various factors, such as too much cholesterol or not enough bile salts in the bile.
As bile moves through the biliary system (the organs and ducts that are involved in the excretion and storage of bile), it’s common that the small stones become stuck in the bile duct that connects the gallbladder to the small intestine. These can cause severe pain and other complications such aspancreatitis(inflammation of the pancreas). The treatment for gallstones is usually the removal of the gallbladder.
Gallstones: Overview and More
Other Conditions
Other common reasons for cholecystectomy include:
Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease
There are some commonsymptoms of gallbladder disease that often result in cholecystectomy, including:
Gallbadder Disease Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Types of Cholecystectomy Procedures
Two types of procedures are typically done to remove the gallbladder. The first is an open technique. This used to be the standard procedure, involving a large incision and longer wound healing time. According to a 2017 study, the open technique, commonly performed before the year 1991, involved a two- to six-day postoperative (after surgery) hospital stay.
A cholecystectomy may also involve an intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC), which is a live, real-time video X-ray of the bile ducts, taken during surgery. An IOC is performed to check for gallstones and ensure that the surgeon can properly view the common bile duct (an area that is sometimes difficult to differentiate due to the compact organization of these structures).
The second type of surgery, which is standard today, is a minimally invasive surgery performed using a laparoscopic technique. Laparoscopic surgery involves a tool called a laparoscope, with a small camera; the procedure is conducted with the aid of very small tools and a camera for viewing (where the surgeon can get a very clear view of the surgical site.
The laparoscope can perform therapeutic procedures—like the removal of the gallbladder—after the surgeon makes a few small incisions (between 0.5 to 1 centimeter/0.196 to 0.393 inches).The incisions are made for entry of the scope into the abdomen (as well as for a removal port to remove the gallbladder). Today, 92% of all cholecystectomy procedures are done via laparoscopic procedure.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
One of the biggest advantages to having a minimally-invasive cholecystectomy via laparoscopic surgery may be the fact that the in-hospital stay time is reduced from a two- to six-day postoperative (after a surgical operation) stay, to the same-day discharge (or up to a one day stay) for laparoscopic surgery. A 2015 study reported advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which include:
Indications for Open Cholecystectomy
There are several reasons that the surgeon may perform an open cholecystectomy, instead of a laparoscopic procedure. These may include:
The Surgical Procedure
The Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic) Procedure
The steps to having a laparoscopic gallbladder removal include:
Robotic Surgery
Advances in technology have resulted in smaller instruments and higher-quality imaging during laparoscopic surgery that allows surgeons to perform more precise dissection with minimal bleeding.
Open Surgery Procedure
The primary difference between an open cholecystectomy and one that is performed via laparoscopy is that during an open procedure a much larger (6-inch) incision is made in the abdomen, on the right side (below the ribs). The muscle tissue is retracted to reveal the gallbladder and the gallbladder is then removed using larger instruments (than those used during laparoscopic surgery). An open procedure takes approximately one to two hours to perform.
After surgery, most people will be discharged to home once they are able to eat and drink normally and walk without help. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, most people are discharged the same day as surgery. Full recovery usually takes about a week.
A lowfat diet is recommended to avoid excess bils secreation post-op.
After an open cholecystectomy, a person usually spends two to three days in the hospital before discharge to home.Full recovery takes approximately four to six weeks.
A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled approximately two to three weeks after the surgery.
Pain
Nonprescription pain medication is usually encouraged for pain; sometimes narcotic pain medication is prescribed for a few days after surgery. Narcotics are more likely to be prescribed after open surgery, which is known to cause more severe pain than minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery. Be sure to follow the healthcare provider’s instructions regarding what type of medication to take and how often.Cold compresses or ice can be used to relieve pain after the surgery; be sure to ask the discharge nurse about how to use ice correctly to prevent injury to the skin.
Activity
Usually, normal activity can be resumed in about a week after laparoscopic surgery, but be sure to consult with the surgeon or other healthcare provider about when to resume any type of heavy lifting or strenuous physical workout after surgery.
There may be several different complications after laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy, which may include:
When to Call the Doctor
There are several reasons to contact your healthcare provider after cholecystectomy surgery. These include:
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gomes CA, Junior CS, et al.Acute calculous cholecystitis: Review of current best practices.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2017;9(5):118-126. doi:10.4240/v9i5118Victoria State Government. Better Health Channel.Gallbladder-gallstones and surgery.Sages.Gallbladder removal surgery (cholescystectomy) patient information from Sages.ASCRS.Laparoscopic Surgery-What is it?Grau-talens EJ, Motos-micó JJ, Giraldo-rubio R, et al.Small-incision cholecystectomy (through a cylinder retractor) under local anaesthesia and sedation: a prospective observational study of five hundred consecutive cases.Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2018;403(6):733-740. doi:10.1007/s00423-018-1707-9Fisichella PM, Demeester SR, Hungness E, et al.Emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery. Pros and cons.J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;19(7):1355-62. doi:10.1007/s11605-015-2766-7MedlinePlus.Open gallbladder removal.Cleveland Clinic.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): Risks / benefits.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gomes CA, Junior CS, et al.Acute calculous cholecystitis: Review of current best practices.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2017;9(5):118-126. doi:10.4240/v9i5118Victoria State Government. Better Health Channel.Gallbladder-gallstones and surgery.Sages.Gallbladder removal surgery (cholescystectomy) patient information from Sages.ASCRS.Laparoscopic Surgery-What is it?Grau-talens EJ, Motos-micó JJ, Giraldo-rubio R, et al.Small-incision cholecystectomy (through a cylinder retractor) under local anaesthesia and sedation: a prospective observational study of five hundred consecutive cases.Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2018;403(6):733-740. doi:10.1007/s00423-018-1707-9Fisichella PM, Demeester SR, Hungness E, et al.Emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery. Pros and cons.J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;19(7):1355-62. doi:10.1007/s11605-015-2766-7MedlinePlus.Open gallbladder removal.Cleveland Clinic.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): Risks / benefits.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gomes CA, Junior CS, et al.Acute calculous cholecystitis: Review of current best practices.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2017;9(5):118-126. doi:10.4240/v9i5118Victoria State Government. Better Health Channel.Gallbladder-gallstones and surgery.Sages.Gallbladder removal surgery (cholescystectomy) patient information from Sages.ASCRS.Laparoscopic Surgery-What is it?Grau-talens EJ, Motos-micó JJ, Giraldo-rubio R, et al.Small-incision cholecystectomy (through a cylinder retractor) under local anaesthesia and sedation: a prospective observational study of five hundred consecutive cases.Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2018;403(6):733-740. doi:10.1007/s00423-018-1707-9Fisichella PM, Demeester SR, Hungness E, et al.Emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery. Pros and cons.J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;19(7):1355-62. doi:10.1007/s11605-015-2766-7MedlinePlus.Open gallbladder removal.Cleveland Clinic.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): Risks / benefits.
Gomes CA, Junior CS, et al.Acute calculous cholecystitis: Review of current best practices.World J Gastrointest Surg. 2017;9(5):118-126. doi:10.4240/v9i5118
Victoria State Government. Better Health Channel.Gallbladder-gallstones and surgery.
Sages.Gallbladder removal surgery (cholescystectomy) patient information from Sages.
ASCRS.Laparoscopic Surgery-What is it?
Grau-talens EJ, Motos-micó JJ, Giraldo-rubio R, et al.Small-incision cholecystectomy (through a cylinder retractor) under local anaesthesia and sedation: a prospective observational study of five hundred consecutive cases.Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2018;403(6):733-740. doi:10.1007/s00423-018-1707-9
Fisichella PM, Demeester SR, Hungness E, et al.Emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery. Pros and cons.J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;19(7):1355-62. doi:10.1007/s11605-015-2766-7
MedlinePlus.Open gallbladder removal.
Cleveland Clinic.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): Risks / benefits.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
