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Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This procedure is most often done laparoscopically. This is done through several small incisions in the abdomen. In some cases, the doctor may switch to open surgery . This involves a large incision in the abdomen.
This surgery is used to remove a diseased or damaged gallbladder. The damage is often due to gallstones . Sometimes, gallstones get stuck in the gallbladder's ducts. Bile, which helps with digestion, normally flows through these ducts. The blockage can damage the gallbladder and the liver.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a cholecystectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Your doctor will probably do some or all of the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep for the procedure.
Four small openings will be made in your abdomen. Carbon dioxide will be pumped in to the abdomen to provide a better view.
The laparoscope will be inserted through one of the openings. It will provide images of the gallbladder and surrounding area. Instruments will be inserted through the small openings. They will be used to grasp the gallbladder and clip off the main artery and duct. The gallbladder will be removed through one of the small openings. Dye may be injected into the duct to look for stones. The entire abdomen will be carefully examined. The incisions will be closed with sutures or staples. They will be covered with bandages.
Your doctor may place a tiny, flexible tube into the area. This tube will exit from your abdomen into a little bulb. This is to drain fluid. The tube is usually removed within one week.
You will be taken to a recovery room.
About 30-60 minutes
You will have pain after the procedure. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.
1-2 days
After the procedure, the hospital staff will:
Recovery takes about three weeks. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Your liver will take over the functions of the gallbladder. You may notice that you have more trouble digesting fatty foods, especially during the first month of recovery.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org/
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org/
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca/
References:
About cholecystectomy: surgical removal of the gallbladder. American College of Surgeons. Medem website. Available at: http://www.medem.com/. Accessed July 11, 2008.
Clayton ES, Connor S, Alexakis N, Leandros E. Meta-analysis of endoscopy and surgery versus surgery alone for common bile duct stones with the gallbladder in situ. Br J Surg. 2006;93:1185-91.
Gallbladder removal. Baylor College of Medicine Department of Surgery website. Available at: http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?proc_name=cholecystectomy&content_id=272. Accessed July 11, 2008.
Gallbladder surgery: laparoscopic cholecystectomy. University of California at Davis website. Available at: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/surgery/specialties/gastro/gall.html. Accessed July 11, 2008.
Laparoscopic surgery: bile, duct, and gallbladder. New York University School of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.nyulaparoscopy.org/surgeries/gallbladder.html#stones. Accessed July 11, 2008.
Martin DJ, Wernon DR, Toouli J. Surgical versus endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Apr 2006;19(2):CD003327.
Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2001;1076-1095.
What are the surgical procedures for gallstones and gallstone disease? University of California at Davis website. Available at: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/. Accessed August 16, 2003.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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