Department of Surgery

Division of Colorectal Surgery

Procedures

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is surgery to remove the gallbladder. Gallbladder removal may be necessary when the gallbladder is inflamed, blocked, filled with gallstones, or cancerous. A cholecystectomy can be done with minimally invasive surgical techniques (laparoscopic techniques) unless the case is complicated.

In a minimally invasive gallbladder surgery, a small incision will be made at the navel, and a laparoscope (a tiny video camera) is inserted into the abdomen. Three small additional holes are made to allow the entry of surgical instruments. The gallbladder is located and removed, and the incisions are closed.

Laparoscopic surgery has a lower rate of complications, shorter hospital stays, and smaller scars than the traditional open surgery procedure. However, in some cases the complexity of the condition will require use of the open technique.