Gallbladder Removal

The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats in your small intestine. The most common reason for gallbladder removal is the presence of gallstones. Gallstones are hardened deposits of cholesterol, bile pigment, or calcium salts that form in the gallbladder. These hardened deposits can cause intense pain, inflammation, and even infection. Symptoms of gallstones include upper right abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and pain between your shoulder blades or right shoulder.

Why is gallbladder removal performed? 

• Gallstones
• Acute cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones
• Chronic cholecystitis: Long-term inflammation of the gallbladder
• Cholangitis: Inflammation of the bile ducts
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas (may occur with gallstones)
• Polyps in the gallbladder (rare)

Benefits of gallbladder removal

Removing the gallbladder can relieve the pain and other symptoms associated with gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. It is a safe and effective procedure with a high success rate. After recovery, most people can live normal, healthy lives without a gallbladder. The liver continues to produce bile, and it simply flows directly into the small intestine instead of being stored in the gallbladder.

Different types of gallbladder removal surgery

There are several solutions for gallbladder removal provided by the surgeons at Newman Regional Health. Your surgeon will discuss the options with you to help you choose the right procedure for your individual needs.

• da Vinci Robot-assisted surgery: Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a robotic system to assist the surgeon. The surgeon sits at a console and manipulates the surgical instruments using robotic arms. Robotic surgery offers potential advantages over traditional laparoscopic surgery, such as improved dexterity and visualization.
• Laparoscopic surgery: This is the most common type of cholecystectomy, involving several small, minimally invasive, incisions in your abdomen. A laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera attached, is inserted through one incision to allow the surgeon to see inside your abdomen on a monitor. Surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions to remove the gallbladder. Laparoscopic surgery is generally associated with a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and less pain than open surgery.
• Open surgery: This procedure involves a single larger incision in your upper right abdomen. The surgeon directly views and removes the gallbladder. Open cholecystectomy is typically only performed if laparoscopic surgery is not possible due to scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries or other factors.