Gallbladder, gallstones and cholecystectomy
The gallbladder is situated in the right upper part of the abdomen. It stores bile, manufactured in the liver, until a meal is taken. Some people develop gallstones in the gallbladder although the reason is not entirely clear. Gallstones cause pain, inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreatitis or jaundice. Once symptoms appear they usually continue to occur. Although other treatments have been tried, removing the gallbladder is the only satisfactory method.Gallstones inside a gallbladder
Cholecystectomy is the operation to remove the gallbladder. It is designed to treat the pain or to prevent further attacks of jaundice or pancreatitis. Bloating, belching wind, heartburn and bowel symptoms are not due to gallstones and are not made better by the operation. It is necessary to remove the gallbladder rather than just the stones. If only the stones were removed and the gallbladder left inside more stones would form. In general no changes to the body’s functions take place and there do not appear to be any long-term adverse side effects.The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic using a laparoscopic or keyhole technique. Small puncture holes, usually four, are made in the abdominal wall to insert a telescope and a variety of operating instruments. The gallbladder is identified and the artery supplying it and the duct tube leaving it are identified, clipped and divided. The gallbladder is removed through one of the puncture wounds. Small stitches are inserted in the skin but these are usually dissolvable. There is often a little swelling around the wound sites for a couple of weeks and sometimes some bruising.
Most people (over 90%) are able to eat and drink and leave hospital within 2 hours. Recovery thereafter takes only a few days and most people can be back to normal, including work and gentle sporting activities, in 7 to 10 days. No read more
