Why would I need gallbladder surgery?

Why would I need gallbladder surgery?

Sometimes, small, hard masses called gallstones form inside the gallbladder. These stones can cause swelling, pain, and infection. Gallstone disease is one of the most common digestive system disorders. It is the most common reason for gallbladder surgery. Surgery to remove a diseased gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. You can live normally without a gallbladder, but you might need to make some changes in your diet.

A common type of gallbladder surgery, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is done through a few small cuts in the abdomen. For this type of surgery, a camera and light are attached to a scope and are placed into one of the small cuts. The camera projects a live-action video of the inside of the abdomen onto a screen near the surgical table. The doctor looks at the screen and uses the video to guide his or her movements. The doctor then takes out the gallbladder with surgical tools placed in the other small cuts. Benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy over open surgery include less pain, less time in the hospital and quicker recovery. It is now considered the “gold standard” for surgical treatment of gallbladder disease.