A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove gallbladder a pear-shaped organ that sits just below the liver on the upper right side of your abdomen. Gallbladder collects and stores bile a digestive fluid produced in liver.

A cholecystectomy may be necessary when there is pain from gallstones that block the flow of bile. A cholecystectomy is a common surgery and it carries only a small risk of complications. In most cases, patient can go home on the same day of cholecystectomy.

A cholecystectomy is most commonly performed by inserting a tiny video camera and special surgical tools through four small incisions to see inside patient’s abdomen and remove the gallbladder. Doctors call this a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In open cholecystectomy a large incision is made to remove the gallbladder.

Why Cholecystectomy is performed?

A cholecystectomy is most commonly performed to treat gallstones and the complications they cause. Cholecystectomy is suggested in following cases:

• Gallstones in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis)

• Gallstones in the bile duct (choledocholithiasis)

• Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)

• Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) due to gallstones

What are the risks of a Cholecystectomy?

A cholecystectomy carries a minor risk of complications including:

Bile leak, Bleeding, Blood clots, Heart problems, Infection, Injury to nearby structures, such as the bile duct, liver and small intestine, Pancreatitis, Pneumonia

Risk of complications depends on your overall health and the reason for your cholecystectomy.

Preparations for Cholecystectomy

Preparations for Cholecystectomy includes:

• Drink a solution to clean out intestines- In the days before the procedure patient may be given a prescription solution that flushes stool out of the intestines.

• Eat nothing the night before the surgery- Patient may drink a sip of water with the medications but avoid eating and drinking at least four hours before the surgery.

• Stop taking certain medications and supplements- Inform the doctor about all the medications and supplements used by patient. Continue taking most medications as prescribed. Doctor may ask to stop taking certain medications and supplements because they may increase the risk of bleeding.

Prepare for your recovery

Plan ahead for your recovery after surgery. For instance:

• Plan for a hospital stay- Most people go home the same day of their cholecystectomy, but complications can occur that require one or more days in the hospital. If the surgeon needs to make a long incision in your abdomen to remove the gallbladder, then you need to stay longer in hospital.

What patient can expect

A cholecystectomy is performed using general anesthesia, so you won't be aware during the procedure. Anesthesia drugs are given through a vein in your arm. Surgeon then performs the cholecystectomy using either a laparoscopic or open procedure.

Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy

During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon makes four small incisions in patient’s abdomen. A tube with a tiny video camera is inserted into the abdomen through one of the incisions. Your surgeon watches a video monitor in the operating room while using surgical tools inserted through the other incisions in your abdomen to remove your gallbladder.

Next you may undergo an imaging test, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, if your surgeon is concerned about possible gallstones or other problems in your bile duct. Then your incisions are sutured, and you're taken to a recovery area. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes one or two hours.

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not appropriate for everyone. In some cases your surgeon may begin with a laparoscopic approach and find it necessary to make a larger incision because of scar tissue from previous operations or complications.

Traditional (open) cholecystectomy

During an open cholecystectomy surgeon makes a 6-inch (15-centimeter) incision in abdomen below the ribs on your right side. The muscle and tissue are pulled back to reveal the liver and gallbladder. Surgeon then removes the gallbladder. The incision is sutured and taken to a recovery area. An open cholecystectomy takes one or two hours.

After a cholecystectomy

Patient is taken to a recovery area as the anesthesia drugs wear off. Then the patient is taken to a hospital room to continue recovery. Recovery varies depending on your procedure:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy- People are often able to go home the same day as their surgery, though sometimes a one-night stay in the hospital is needed. In general, patients can expect to go home once they are able to eat and drink without pain and are able to walk unaided. It takes about a week to fully recover.

• Open cholecystectomy- Expect to spend two or three days in the hospital recovering. Once at home, it may take four to six weeks to fully recover.

Results

A cholecystectomy can relieve the pain and discomfort of gallstones. Conservative treatments, such as dietary modifications, usually can't stop gallstones from recurring. A cholecystectomy is the only way to prevent gallstones.