Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal, is a minimally invasive procedure that eliminates the pain and discomfort associated with gallbladder disease. The gallbladder is often removed because the patient has chronic and painful gallstones or has a stubborn inflammation that will not go away with other treatments. Many Americans have gallstones, but only a small subset of these patients experience symptomatic gallstones. Symptoms usually occur when a gallstone limits the outflow of bile, causing significant pain, nausea, and other debilitating symptoms. Once the patient has had their first gallstone attack, these episodes will likely become more frequent and more painful as time goes on.
Many patients will find advertisements for diets or supplements that claim to dissolve and eliminate gallstones when researching online. There is simply no evidence that these methods work, and in many cases, they can even be dangerous. The only curative procedure for symptomatic gallstones is the complete removal of the gallbladder – a straightforward process performed on over 1 million Americans every year.
The risks for gallbladder disease
Gallstones affect women disproportionately when compared to men. Other risk factors include being overweight, significant weight loss, middle age, and infertility.
Leaving gallbladder issues untreated can be risky, as there is the potential for a gallstone to lodge itself in the common bile duct. Gallbladder disease may also increase the risk of pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas.
How do I know it’s my gallbladder?
The gallbladder is attached to the liver in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just under the base of the rib cage. Gallbladder disease is often characterized by nonspecific abdominal symptoms that typically have a specific timing. A gallbladder attack is usually triggered shortly after a meal, especially if it is large or particularly fatty, as these foods prompt the gallbladder to contract. Episodes typically resolve within a short period, although their intensity may vary. The location of the pain is also helpful in diagnosing gallbladder disease.
How Is a Cholecystectomy Performed?
Three to four small incisions are made in the abdomen through which specialized, miniaturized medical devices are passed. The procedure can be performed with traditional laparoscopy or robotically. The surgeon can visualize the gallbladder and surrounding structures using a high-definition camera known as a laparoscope. We clamp both the artery that supplies blood to the gallbladder and the bile duct during surgery, using special titanium clips that remain in the body permanently. After cutting away the gallbladder, it is removed through the largest of the incisions in the abdomen.
The laparoscopic and robotically assisted nature of modern cholecystectomies leads to less bleeding, less pain, shorter recovery time, and fewer risks. The exact recovery time will depend on a person’s overall health and the progress of the procedure. Generally, however, patients are discharged on the same day as surgery. In very few cases, the surgery may need to be performed in an open manner, which may require a hospital stay and a more extended recovery period.
Once the gallbladder is removed, patients will have no dietary restrictions and can resume a somewhat regular activity level within 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. The removed gallbladder is sent to a lab to be tested for any possible problems, including cancer, which is uncommon. Further treatment, if necessary, will be scheduled accordingly.
Occasionally, weight loss surgery patients may have the option to remove their gallbladder during the same operation. Please discuss this with your bariatric surgeon during your consultation.
Despite being performed laparoscopically, cholecystectomy is a major surgery, as are all of our procedures. This means it comes with certain inherent risks, which should be discussed with your medical team and our office during your consultation.
We look forward to discussing your surgical needs with you.