Gallbladder surgery

In which cases is gallbladder surgery necessary? 

The most common disease of the gallbladder is the presence of gallstones, which can lead to inflammation that can cause further severe abdominal pain. The solution to gallstones is surgery. This is the only way to treat it and prevent further complications such as inflammation, peritonitis, jaundice or pancreatitis.

In some cases, gallbladder inflammation can be treated conservatively on a temporary basis: with prolonged antibiotic therapy, along with analgesics and antispasmodics. However, if the inflammation doesn’t subside, surgery may become urgent in less favorable circumstances. Even if conservative therapy is effective, removal of the gallbladder is still recommended 6-8 weeks after the inflammation.

In addition to gallstones, gallbladder removal may also be necessary in other cases, such as gallbladder polyposis (if the number of polyps increases or reaches 1cm in size during ultrasound monitoring) or in suspected malignant lesions.

What are the options for removing the gallbladder?

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal

A laparoscope is a thin tube with a camera at one end, so that an image from within the body can be followed in real time on a high-definition monitor. The laparoscope and surgical aids are inserted through a series of short incisions (0.5-1cm) to perform each step of the operation.

Advantages of the intervention:

• less postoperative pain,
• shorter hospital stay,
• short recovery time,
• less visible, smaller scars; faster wound healing.

Open gallbladder removal 

Open surgery may be necessary in acute cases or if there are surgical complications. This involves a larger incision and slower recovery.

What preliminary tests are needed before gallbladder surgery? 

Before gallbladder removal surgery, laboratory tests, a chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound and an anesthesia consultation are required.

How should you prepare for gallbladder surgery? 

Before surgery, you should follow the diet recommended by your doctor, and on the day of the operation you should not eat or drink anything, to arrive for the intervention on an empty stomach.

How is gallbladder surgery performed? 

The procedure is best performed within 48-72 hours of the onset of inflammation. Inflammation can cause the gallbladder wall to become permeable, which can lead to peritonitis or a liver abscess.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Through a small incision above the navel, the abdominal cavity is inflated with CO2 gas through a device. The laparoscope camera is guided into the abdomen so that the abdomen can be seen, and the operation can be followed on a monitor. A few (3-4) small incisions are made in the upper abdomen to allow the instruments to be inserted. The artery supplying the gallbladder and the gallbladder duct are dissected, closed with plastic clips and then cut. The gallbladder is dissected from its bed, and together with the gallstones it is removed through a small incision and sent for histology. A silicone drain tube is usually left in the abdominal cavity. The surgical wounds are then closed.

As with all laparoscopic operations, a conversion to open surgery may be necessary during a gallbladder removal. Examples include adhesions due to gallbladder inflammation, anatomical abnormalities or other anatomical deviations.

The postoperative gallbladder surgery period 

After gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy), patients spend a night in our inpatient ward, returning home the next day. Physical rest is then important for a few weeks, followed by gradual exercise and a gentle lifestyle. The diet recommended by the doctor should be followed for 1-2 weeks. After a few weeks our patients can resume their normal lifestyle. The wound takes about 7 days to heal. We use absorbable sutures, so no suture removal is necessary. Complete relief from symptoms can be expected in 1-2 weeks for laparoscopic procedures and in 4-6 weeks for other procedures.

During the recuperation period at home, it is not usually necessary to change the dressing that was applied in hospital. The wound should be kept dry for 5 days. If the dressing is damaged or bleeds through, it can be replaced with a dry covering bandage. In most cases, other than maintaining a gentle lifestyle, no special rehabilitation is necessary.

The postoperative check-up is scheduled after 1 week. Painkillers and thromboprophylaxis measures should be continued for the period specified by the doctor. Most of our patients are usually free of symptoms and complaints at the time of the first check-up.

What complications can gallbladder surgery have? 

Potential complications of laparoscopic gallbladder removal:

• Bleeding: in some cases, this can only be treated by transfusion and may require repeated surgery
• Infection: local or generalized peritonitis or a liver abscess may develop following gallbladder inflammation. Wound infection may develop following surgical incision.
• Bile duct injury may require extension of the operation and drainage of the bile ducts during surgery. In the case of postoperative biliary leakage, a duodenal endoscopy may be used to detect the cause of the leakage and then to eliminate it by inserting stents into the bile ducts. If this is not successful, another operation may be performed.
• The operation may involve intestinal or vascular damage, some of which can be treated with a laparoscope, others with open surgery.
• Stones in the bile ducts can also lead to bile duct fatty deposits and pancreatitis, which may require endoscopic intervention or further surgery.
• Deep vein thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism may develop, which can be prevented by the wearing of compression stockings and by postoperative anticoagulant injections.

GALLBLADDER SURGERY FEES

You can find our current fees under the prices menu.

WHY CHOOSE DR. ROSE PRIVATE HOSPITAL?

• Highly trained specialists, modern diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Our surgical care aims to provide comprehensive patient care and the highest standards of treatment.
• Personalized care. In our specialized clinics, we create a tailored treatment plan for each patient, accounting for their individual needs and condition.
• An empathetic, people-oriented approach. Our specialists always keep the comfort and safety of our patients in mind.
• Premium-quality inpatient department. 3 operating theaters and 24 patient rooms with 33 beds to meet all your needs. The highest professional standards combined with an exclusive environment for healing, where you can recover in safety and with complete peace of mind.
• Fast and predictable appointments. Within 1-2 weeks from the first consultation with a specialist, we will arrange an appointment for the necessary intervention.

For all gallbladder-related complaints, contact the doctors at Dr. Rose Private Hospital with confidence.