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:: Cholecystectomy

Most gallstones do not cause any symptoms, and generally do not require any treatment.
However, if the stones are in the gallbladder, and are causing recurrent abdominal pain,
known as biliary colic, it may be necessary to surgically remove the gallbladder using a
procedure called cholecystectomy. There are 2 different ways this operation can be
done-through open surgery, or through 'keyhole' surgery (laparoscopy). Gallstones
that are in the bile duct are usually removed by endoscopy or by surgery.

Open cholecystectomy

Open cholecystectomy is a relatively safe procedure where the gallbladder is removed
through an incision in the abdomen below the ribs on the right-hand side of the body.

The gallbladder is not an essential organ, and can be removed with few adverse effects.
Some people (less than 5 per cent) might find that they have an increase in stool frequency
after the operation. This can usually be easily corrected using anti-diarrhoeal medications.
There is a small risk of other surgical complications which include damage to the bile duct
or bleeding of the bile duct. Only one in 20 people having their gallbladder removed requires
open surgery. The rest undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Click here to find more about Laparoscopic surgery.

These days most gallbladders are removed using a procedure known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy or 'keyhole' surgery. This technique involves inflating the abdominal cavity
with carbon dioxide, then inserting very fine instruments and a specialised tiny video camera
through a few small cuts in the abdomen wall. The gallbladder is then cut free under video surveillance and taken out of the body through one of the incisions.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safer, and has fewer complications, than open surgery. It a
lso involves less post-operative pain, less scarring and allows a speedier recovery time. In
open cholecystectomy the abdominal muscles are cut, but with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
this is not necessary, so recovery is simpler. Hospitalisation is generally 1-2 days, rather than
the 5-8 days associated with open cholecystectomy. On occasion, surgeons may have to
abandon the laparoscopic method and switch to open surgery if they have difficulties during
the procedure.