Benefits of gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy)

• The main reason for gallbladder removal surgery is the formation of gallstones. So, if you continue reading, you can find out the risk factors for their development, as well as the symptoms of the disease.
• Gallbladder removal surgery involves two surgical techniques: open surgery and laparoscopy, both of which offer a high level of safety for the patient.
• The laparoscopic technique is the most common technique for gallbladder removal due to its minimal invasiveness. However, open surgery is the appropriate option when the patient is not a candidate for laparoscopy.

Before discussing the benefits of gallbladder removal surgery, it is important to take into account certain factors such as the reasons for the operation, or what each of the techniques used to perform cholecystectomy consist of.

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The operation to remove the gallbladder can be carried out using two surgical techniques: conventional open surgery or laparoscopy. These two techniques have a series of intra- and postoperative benefits that should not go unnoticed. Although one is more common than the other, both are safe and effective techniques, although laparoscopy, for example, reduces recovery time.

The main benefit of the gallbladder removal surgery is the definitive elimination of the symptoms.

In this case, throughout the article you will be able to read all the information about the benefits of gallbladder removal surgery, as well as the benefits of performing the cholecystectomy with open surgery or with the laparoscopic technique.

The gallbladder is an organ attached to the lower part of the liver and its shape is reminiscent of a pear. The gallbladder's job is to store the bile produced by the liver to digest fats. In this way, when the stomach and intestine receive food, the gallbladder releases bile to help digest it. 

In cases where the gallbladder becomes blocked and bile is not allowed to pass through, this can be a problem, but how can bile ducts become blocked?

The most common reason why the flow of bile can be obstructed is due to gallstones. 

Therefore, the need to remove the gallbladder is due to one of the following conditions, caused by the development of gallstones in the gallbladder, for example:

• Gallstones or cholelithiasis. The formation of stones, with stones or grit, in the gallbladder.
• Inflammation due to infection of the gallbladder. Also known as cholecystitis, this is inflammation caused by the presence of stones. It may appear suddenly, representing acute cholecystitis, or persist over time, becoming chronic cholecystitis.
• Bile duct obstruction. Choledocholithiasis involves blockage in the bile duct leading to the duodenum by the formation of gallstones.

Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as cholecystectomy, is a surgical procedure in which the gallbladder is removed. This organ, located below the liver and shaped like a pear, is responsible for producing the bile that is produced when food is ingested and, in turn, helps to digest it.

Gallbladder removal is an operation that is performed under general anaesthesia, and can be carried out with a more conventional surgery, or laparoscopically, avoiding the large incision. However, there are different reasons for deciding to undergo cholecystectomy, including the benefits associated with each of the surgical techniques.

As we said, the main reason why the operation is necessary is the existence of gallstones in the gallbladder, so the main benefit of the gallbladder removal operation is the immediate cessation of the development of gallstones and, therefore, of the symptoms caused by their presence.

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Although this can sometimes be asymptomatic, it is important to maintain regular contact with your doctor, because in cases where the patient has gallstones but no symptoms, gallstones are often detected in medical tests such as X-rays, ultrasound or even during the surgical process of an issue unrelated to gallbladder removal. 

On the other hand, there are patients who have no pain or discomfort, giving rise to an increase in the formation of gallstones and even, on rare occasions, the gallbladder may rupture and cause biliary peritonitis. Cholecystectomy is therefore the appropriate operation.

Gallbladder removal, regardless of how it is performed, aims to remove the gallbladder. However, the process will be carried out in one way or another depending on the surgical technique used. Thus, for cholecystectomy we distinguish between two techniques:

Open surgery for gallbladder removal

In the case of open surgery, an incision is made in the abdomen, which is kept open with the necessary surgical tools. With these tools, the gallbladder is separated from the other attached organs to check their condition. The gallbladder is then removed through the initial incision and the surgeon makes sure that no gallstones or other problems remain.

This technique is usually used when the patient's characteristics pose a risk for laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. However, the laparoscopic technique is the one most commonly used to remove the gallbladder and solve gallstone problems. 

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery

The laparoscopic gallbladder removal operation consists, first of all, of inserting an optical lens through the pelvic-abdominal cavity that emits light and in turn relays the images of the interior to a monitor through which the surgeon visualises the interior of the abdomen. 

Through another incision, a tube is inserted through which carbon dioxide is emitted to inflate the abdomen and provide a better view of the gallbladder and the rest of the organs. Finally, using the necessary tools, the gallbladder is removed through the navel. In this way, the scar will be imperceptible.

These two interventional techniques are used to remove the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is usually performed laparoscopically, but when is open surgery the appropriate technique?

One of the advantages of the laparoscopic gallbladder removal operation is the reduction in recovery time.

Cholecystectomy is a procedure that is usually performed laparoscopically to solve gallbladder problems. It is performed with 2 or 3 very small incisions in the abdominal area and is minimally invasive, but what are the benefits of laparoscopy for gallbladder removal surgery?

• Minimally invasive surgery.
• 3D vision, improving surgeon precision and patient safety.
• Shorter hospital stay than with open surgery. The patient can leave the hospital the same day of the operation or, at the most, two days after the cholecystectomy.
• Rapid return to normal activities. Total recovery time after gallbladder surgery is 1-2 weeks.
• Less postoperative discomfort and pain.
• Successful aesthetic result due to mini incisions and better healing of the incisions.
• Low complication rate.

Regarding this last benefit, we must add that, if there is any risk related to the technique, the surgeon can switch from laparoscopic surgery to open gallbladder removal for the patient's own safety. Even so, this only happens in 1% of cases with young, healthy patients, being more frequent in patients with obesity, advanced age or previous abdominal surgery.

Open gallbladder removal surgery is often used when the patient's condition is unsafe for laparoscopic surgery. The decision to perform open gallbladder removal surgery may be made before the operation or, in 1% of cases, during the operation. But in which cases is open surgery a benefit for gallbladder removal?

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal can be converted to open surgery and is more likely in the following cases:

• Obesity.
• People of advanced age.
• Patients with previous abdominal surgery.
• High fever during the operation.

In any case, the surgeon will be the one to decide whether to switch from laparoscopy to open surgery, with the sole intention of making the gallbladder removal safer for the patient. 

As you may have read, laparoscopy offers minimally invasive conditions, so it will be the technique of choice. However, both techniques are safe and effective, with open surgery being the perfect option for patients who are not candidates for laparoscopy.

If you are thinking of undergoing a gallbladder removal surgery, i.e. cholecystectomy, we remind you that you can do so with the management of Operarme.

Our company has the collaboration and commitment of private hospitals throughout Spain, as well as its own portfolio of top-level specialists.

One of the main benefits of having your gallbladder removed at Operarme is the all-inclusive price.

Therefore, undergoing gallbladder removal surgery with Operarme includes a number of benefits associated with a commitment to patient comfort and wellbeing, such as:

• Free surgical assessment consultation. Operarme offers you a first consultation with the team of specialists at the collaborating hospital to determine the surgical need, in your case, as well as to indicate whether you are suitable for laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy.
• All-inclusive price. Regardless of whether the gallbladder removal surgery is performed with open surgery or laparoscopy, in both cases the price is fixed and includes everything necessary for a greater guarantee of results and for your comfort.
• First class hospital. Cholecystectomy, open or laparoscopic, is an operation offered by Operarme in different private hospitals with the most cutting-edge healthcare and medical technology. 
• Personalised attention. If you decide to carry out your gallbladder removal operation with Operarme, you can count on our personalised care service throughout the entire process. Our company provides you with a patient care and advice team that will help you with all the formalities and solve any questions you may have.
• Transfer service. As it is a major surgery, Operarme has a free transfer service that will take you to the hospital on the day of admission and return you home on the day of discharge. Check the conditions of the transfer service.

If you would like to request a surgical assessment consultation with a specialist, Operarme offers you an immediate, free appointment with our specialists in General Surgery. It is important for you to know that this consultation is not to determine the presence of stones, but to establish the need for surgery in your case, or to determine the appropriate technique.

Therefore, in this first consultation you should bring all the tests you have had previously (ultrasound, endoscopy, etc.) so that the specialist can make a more accurate surgical diagnosis. 

However, the Patient Service team at Operarme will explain everything you need to know and will answer any questions you may have.

So, if you would like to request this first consultation, you can do so by calling our patient service number +34 91 141 33 56, or by clicking on the following button:

Do you need gallbladder removal surgery?

Request a free and immediate appointment with our specialists in General Surgery

Make an appointment