Gallbladder Surgery

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver, which helps breaking down fatty foods. The gallbladder is not needed, so surgery to remove it is often recommended if you experience any problems with it.

The procedure to remove the gallbladder is also called cholecystectomy. It is usually carried out to remove gallstones. Gallstones are formed as a result of imbalance in the substance of which the bile is made and are normally around 5-10 mm in diameter. Gallstones may cause abdominal pain.

It may often be possible to take tablets to dissolve gallstones, but cholecystectomy is in many cases the most effective treatment. Cholecystectomy is a common procedure, and it can be conducted in two main ways:

1. Laparoscopically – small surgical instruments are inserted through four small cuts in your belly.

2. Open Cholecystectomy – a single large cut in your belly.