The gallbladder stores bile that aids in fat digestion. Removal of the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, may be recommended when the gallbladder is inflamed, blocked, diseased, cancerous or contains gallstones. Untreated gallstones can cause complications such as biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, gangrene, jaundice, pancreatitis, sepsis, fistula, ileus and cancer.

Open gallbladder removal involves the creation of a five-to eight-inch long incision in the abdomen below the ribs. Laparoscopic technology allows the same procedure to be performed through a series of small incisions, with a camera on the laparoscope providing the surgeon with a real-time view inside the patient’s body. Laparoscopic surgery provides benefits for the patient such as less post-operative pain, shorter recovery (overnight as opposed to five days) and faster return to normal activities since the incisions are small and the abdominal muscles are not cut.

What is cholecystectomy?

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder.

When is surgery required? 

Surgical removal is recommended when the gallbladder is inflamed, blocked, diseased, cancerous or contains gallstones.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are, unsurprisingly, stones that form in the bile, the liquid produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids digestion in the intestine. Left untreated, gallstones can result in biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, gangrene, jaundice, pancreatitis, sepsis, fistula, ileus and cancer.

What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Traditionally, surgery involved the creation of a five- to eight-inch long incision in the abdomen below the ribs. Laparoscopic technology now allows the same procedure to be performed through a series of small incisions, with a camera on the laparoscope providing the surgeon with a real-time view inside the patient’s body.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Laparoscopic surgery provides benefits for the patient such as less post-operative pain, shorter recovery (overnight as opposed to five days) and faster return to normal activities since the incisions are small and the abdominal muscles are not cut.

Are there complications?

As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding and infection. Additional complications include injury to the bile duct, intestines or major blood vessels.

A liver biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to examine liver tissue and determine the cause of any abnormalities. This procedure is often performed after another test, such as a blood test, indicates a problem within the liver. A liver biopsy can diagnose alcoholic liver disease, hemochromatosis, hepatitis B and C and liver cancer.

The biopsy procedure can be performed in several different ways, but generally takes about 20 minutes and may be performed in your doctor's office or in a hospital. Laparoscopy is often used in a liver biopsy to minimize the incisions needed, while a percutaneous biopsy uses local anesthesia and a needle to take multiple samples. Percutaneous biopsies may also be assisted by imaging techniques to properly guide the needle. A short recovery time of a few hours is needed after a liver biopsy because of the use of anesthesia.