Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

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The gallbladder and gallstones

The gallbladder is a small organ attached to the liver. It sits in the upper right side of your abdomen, just under the ribs. It stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestine to aid digestion. Gallstones form when bile in the gallbladder hardens into solid particles. They can vary in size and number.

Gallstones are very common. Many people with gallstones never develop symptoms, however, gallstones can sometimes cause a number of problems including severe pain (colic), infection (cholecystitis), jaundice or acute pancreatitis. 

Treatment options

The most effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder called Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
Dietary changes may help some people but are not reliably effective. Non-surgical treatments are rarely used in the UK.

If you have had symptoms, they are very likely to return without surgery.

The operation

• Performed under general anaesthetic
• Usually carried out using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery
• Involves 3–4 small incisions
• Typical operating time: 30–60 minutes
• Occasionally performed using robotic assistance
• Rarely converted to open surgery if required for safety
  

Hospital stay and recovery

• Most patients go home the same day or after one night 
• Normal activities usually resume within 1–2 weeks
• There are no long-term dietary restrictions
• Temporary changes in bowel habit may occur

Possible complications

Gallbladder removal is generally very safe, but risks include:

• Damage to bowel or blood vessels (1 in 200)
• Bile duct injury (1 in 300; serious but rare)
• Bile leak (1 in 200)
• Retained gallstones in the bile duct or abdomen
• Diarrhoea (about 1 in 8 patients)
• Ongoing symptoms (post-cholecystectomy syndrome)
• Serious complications, including death, are very rare.

After surgery

• Pain, bloating, and shoulder discomfort are common for a few days
• Constipation may occur, particularly with strong pain relief
• Wounds usually heal without problems; dressings are waterproof
   

Returning to normal activities

• Desk work: 1–2 weeks
• Manual work: 3–4 weeks
• Driving: usually after one week, if comfortable and not taking strong painkillers