Gallbladder Surgery

What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery)?

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy refers to keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic. 4 small incisions will be made in the abdomen to allow the camera and narrow instruments to be inserted, in order to remove the gallbladder and gallstones safely. Usually, an X-ray test will be performed during surgery to ensure the common bile duct (the bile tube that delivers the bile from the liver to the small bowel) is free of stones.

What are the effects of having your gallbladder removed?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common operations in Australia. It is generally very well tolerated, and patients can go home either the same day or the next day. Dr Bell will run through the risks of gallbladder surgery with you, as well as the option of leaving your gallstones untreated. Most people will be back to normal 1-2 weeks after surgery. However, due the storage function of the gallbladder, a minority of people might experience temporary fatty diarrhoea (steatorrhoea) following gallbladder surgery, which generally resolves with time.

Illustration showing the gallbladder and common bile duct that is situated below the liver. Gallstones in the common bile duct can block the flow of bile and cause inflammation, infection and jaundice.