Gallbladder surgery (Cholecystectomy)

What is the gallbladder and why remove it?

The gallbladder is a small, pouch-like organ in the upper right part of your abdomen. It stores bile—a fluid made by the liver that helps break down fatty foods. You do not need a gallbladder to live normally, so surgery to remove it is often recommended when it causes problems. The most common reason for removal is painful gallstones. Gallstones form when there is an imbalance in the substances that make up bile (acute cholecystitis). They often cause no symptoms and you may not know you have them, but they can block the flow of bile and inflame the gallbladder or pancreas (acute pancreatitis), causing sudden intense abdominal pain, feeling or being sick, and sometimes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Very occasionally medicine can be used to try to dissolve gallstones, but in the vast majority of cases surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most effective treatment.

What happens during gallbladder removal surgery?

There are two main ways to remove the gallbladder:

• Laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy: several small cuts are made in your abdomen and fine surgical tools and a camera are used to access and remove the gallbladder. You can usually leave hospital sooner, recover faster, and have smaller scars than with open surgery.
• Open cholecystectomy: a single larger incision is made in your abdomen to access and remove the gallbladder. It may be used when there is severe inflammation, infection, or scarring.

Recovering from gallbladder removal surgery

Recovery from keyhole surgery is usually quick: some people leave hospital the same day or the next morning, and you will often be able to return to most normal activities within about 2 weeks. Open surgery takes longer: you may need to stay in hospital for 3 to 5 days and it can take 6 to 8 weeks before you are fully back to normal. We give you clear instructions on pain relief, wound care, and activity.

Living without a gallbladder

You can lead a normal life without a gallbladder. Your liver still makes enough bile to digest your food; instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it flows continuously into your digestive system. You may have been advised to eat a certain diet before surgery, but afterward you can aim for a generally healthy, balanced diet. Many people have some bloating or diarrhoea after the operation; this usually improves within a few weeks. If you notice that certain foods or drinks trigger these symptoms, you can avoid them.

Risks of gallbladder removal surgery

Gallbladder removal is generally a safe procedure, but as with any surgery there are risks. Possible complications include wound infection, bile leaking into the abdomen, damage to the bile ducts carrying bile from the liver, and blood clots. We discuss the benefits and risks with you before your operation.