Gallbladder removal, also called cholecystectomy, is a common surgical procedure to treat gallstones and other gallbladder diseases.

Here’s a complete overview 👇

🩺 What is the Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located under the liver. It stores bile — a digestive fluid made by the liver — which helps digest fats.

⚠️ Why Gallbladder Removal is Done

Your doctor may recommend removing the gallbladder if you have:

  • Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) causing pain or infection
  • Gallbladder inflammation (Cholecystitis)
  • Bile duct blockage
  • Gallbladder polyps or cancer (rare)

Common symptoms include:

  • Severe pain in the upper right or middle abdomen
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Bloating and indigestion
  • Fever or jaundice (in severe cases)

🔪 Types of Gallbladder Removal Surgery

  1. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Minimally Invasive)
    • Small cuts (keyhole incisions)
    • Camera and surgical tools used
    • Faster recovery and less pain
    • Most common method
  2. Open Cholecystectomy (Traditional Surgery)
    • Larger incision under the right rib cage
    • Used in complicated cases or when laparoscopy isn’t possible

🏥 Procedure

  • Performed under general anesthesia
  • Lasts 30–90 minutes
  • The surgeon removes the gallbladder and seals bile ducts
  • Most patients go home the same day or next day

⏱️ Recovery

  • Return to light activities: within 1–2 days (laparoscopic)
  • Full recovery: 1–2 weeks (laparoscopic) or 4–6 weeks (open surgery)
  • Follow a low-fat diet initially
  • No major long-term digestive issues (the liver continues to produce bile)

✅ Benefits

  • Relief from pain and discomfort
  • Prevention of gallstone complications
  • Quick recovery with laparoscopic method

⚠️ Risks (Rare)

  • Infection or bleeding
  • Bile leakage
  • Injury to nearby organs (bile ducts, liver, intestines)
  • Reaction to anesthesia

Why Gall Bladder Removal in Lifecare Hospital in Gorakhpur

Gallbladder removal — medically called cholecystectomy — is usually done when the gallbladder causes pain, infection, or other complications due to gallstones or malfunction. Here’s a clear explanation:

🩺 Main Reasons for Gallbladder Removal

  1. Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)
    • Hard deposits form inside the gallbladder.
    • They can block bile flow, causing severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
  2. Gallbladder Inflammation (Cholecystitis)
    • Often due to gallstones blocking the cystic duct.
    • Causes fever, pain, and infection — sometimes needing emergency surgery.
  3. Bile Duct Obstruction
    • Gallstones can travel to the common bile duct, blocking bile flow to the intestine.
    • This can lead to jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
  4. Gallbladder Dysfunction (Biliary Dyskinesia)
    • The gallbladder doesn’t empty bile properly, causing recurrent pain even without stones.
  5. Gallbladder Polyps or Cancer (Rare)
    • Large or suspicious growths may require removal to prevent cancer.

⚕️ Why Surgery Is Often the Best Solution

  • The gallbladder is not essential for digestion — bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine after removal.
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure with quick recovery.