Gallbladder Removal: Procedures, Complications and Recovery of this Surgery

Cholecystectomy, also known as an open gallbladder surgery, is when a surgeon removes the gallbladder using one large cut in the abdominal area. A general anesthetic will be used, so it is always safe to prepare yourself for "going under". Generally, the surgery lasts for one to two hours. However, in rare cases it may last longer. The incision is generally made either under the edge of the right rib cage or in the upper section of the abdomen.

Most surgeons perform the majority of gallbladder surgeries after first attempting to remove the gallbladder via laparoscopic surgery. However, it is not uncommon to experience conditions that may call for an open gallbladder surgery.

Following the removal of the gallbladder, ones bile will flow from the liver and end up in small intestine, using the common bile duct. Although the gallbladder has been removed, not having ones bile stored in between meals rarely causes any problems with digestion.

Because having the gallbladder removed is a procedure that requires recuperation, a hospital stay of two to four days, or even longer, is common. However, most individuals are able to return to his/her normal routines within four to six weeks. Unfortunately, the open surgery is more painful and requires a longer recuperation period than laparoscopic surgery. Because of the large incision being made, a somewhat large scar (four to eight inches) being left is common.

The gallbladder is removed for several reasons. These reasons include: an inflammation of the gallbladder itself or the bile duct, abdominal lining inflammation, as well as an uncommon anatomy in ones abdomen.

In a rare five percent of cases, a surgeon who begins a laparoscopic gallbladder treatment may need to resort to a procedure method that calls for a larger incision. Examples of these special situations are scar tissue issues, injury, previously unpredicted inflammation, and bleeding.