Gall Bladder Surgery

Gallbladder disease and gallbladder attacks are very common and can present clinically in a number of ways. Symptoms such as chronic abdominal pain, intolerance to greasy foods, family history, bloating and severe pain in the right upper or midabdominal area, can all indicate potential trouble with the gallbladder.

Persistence of these problems can lead to more serious complications. In light of the above, it can become necessary to remove the gallbladder to prevent more serious problems. Nowadays the gallbladder can usually be safely removed via minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopically), robotically (single incision), or in a traditional open fashion, if necessary.

All of these procedures are available when indicated and appropriate. The surgeons of Valley Surgical Specialists have years of experience, judgment and surgical skills to accommodate illnesses involving the gallbladder. Talk to one of our surgeons to find out the best course of action for you.

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Risks and Complications

There are possible risks and complications involved in all surgeries. When considering gallbladder surgery, the risks may include:
  • Bleeding, blood clots.
  • Infection
  • Injury to the bile duct or other nearby organs.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Bile leakage.
  • Hernia at incision site.
  • Bowel obstruction.

Treatment Options

Once a diagnosis is made, the proper treatment is elective removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is primarily a bile storage organ that can be safely removed without negatively affecting digestion. The following are treatment options:
  • Primary treatment is to remove the gallbladder through four small incisions called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nine out of ten gallbladder surgeries are performed this way. This is an outpatient surgery with minimal downtime.
  • Open surgery uses a large incision and is performed if the gallbladder is inflamed or distorted from previous episodes. Patients are typically in the hospital for 3-4 days and can expect a longer recovery period.
  • Robotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is done using one incision closer to the site. This approach is generally approved for straightforward gallbladder cases and is reserved for those who are more cosmetically concerned. It is not without risk, as it is generally more difficult to remove a gallbladder this way and may need to be converted to an open or laparoscopic surgery. There is also a greater risk of developing a hernia at the incision site.

VSS Surgeons Specializing in Gallbladder Surgery

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