Gallbladder removal - laparoscopic

Alternative Names: Cholecystectomy - laparoscopic

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is surgery to remove the gallbladder using a medical device called a laparoscope.

Description of Procedure

Using a laparoscope is the most common way to remove the gallbladder. A laparoscope is a thin, lighted tube that lets the doctor see inside your belly.

Gallbladder removal surgery is done while you are under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free).

• The surgeon will make three to four small cuts in your belly.
• The laparoscope will be inserted through one of the cuts.
• Other medical instruments will be inserted through the other cuts.
• Gas will be pumped into your belly to expand it. This gives the surgeon more space to work.

First, the surgeon cuts the bile duct and blood vessels that lead to the gallbladder. Then the surgeon removes the gallbladder, using the laparoscope.

An x-ray called a cholangiogram may be done during your surgery. This involves squirting dye into your common bile duct and taking an x-ray. This duct will be left inside you after your gallbladder has been removed. The dye helps find other stones that may be outside your gallbladder. It also helps identify the branches of the bile duct. If any stones are found, the surgeon may remove these other stones with a special instrument.

Sometimes the surgeon cannot safely take out the gallbladder using a laparoscope. In this case, the surgeon will instead do an open cholecystectomy.

See also: Gallbladder removal - open

Risks of Gallbladder removal - laparoscopic

The risks for any anesthesia include:

• Reactions to drugs you are given
• Breathing problems
• Pneumonia
• Heart problems
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs

The risks for gallbladder surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Damage to the blood vessels that go to the liver
• Infection in your belly
• Injury to the common bile duct
• Injury to the small intestine
• Pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas)

Review Date: 8/1/2011
Reviewed By: John A. Daller, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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