There are two main types of cholecystectomy surgerya minimally-invasive laparascopic procedure and an open procedure.
Learn more about this surgery.
What Is the Gallbladder?
jacoblund / Getty Images
Thegallbladderis a pear-shaped, hollow organ located just under the liver on the right side of the abdomen.
It serves as a reservoir to store and secrete bile into the small intestine.
Purpose of Cholecystectomy
There are several forms ofgallbladder diseasethat can be treated by cholecystectomy.
Approximately 15% of people aged 50 and older are affected by gallstones.
These can cause severe pain and other complications such aspancreatitis(inflammation of the pancreas).
The treatment for gallstones is usually the removal of the gallbladder.
The first is an open technique.
This used to be the standard procedure, involving a large incision and longer wound healing time.
Today, 92% of all cholecystectomy procedures are done via laparoscopic procedure.
This is commonly referred to as robotic surgery.
An open procedure takes approximately one to two hours to perform.
After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, most people are discharged the same day as surgery.
Full recovery usually takes about a week.
A lowfat diet is recommended to avoid excess bils secreation post-op.
A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled approximately two to three weeks after the surgery.
2017;9(5):118-126. doi:10.4240/v9i5118
Victoria State Government.
Better Health Channel.Gallbladder-gallstones and surgery.
Sages.Gallbladder removal surgery (cholescystectomy) patient information from Sages.
ASCRS.Laparoscopic Surgery-What is it?
Pros and cons.J Gastrointest Surg.
2015;19(7):1355-62. doi:10.1007/s11605-015-2766-7
MedlinePlus.Open gallbladder removal.
Cleveland Clinic.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): Risks / benefits.
