Because your gallbladder is a non-essential organ, if problems develop, most times it is easier just to remove the organ altogether than to try and correct the issue and leave the gallbladder in place. Like many operations, there are a number of different ways surgeons can remove your gallbladder. Below, we take a closer look at the different types of operations that could be performed if you need gallbladder surgery.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Also known as a minimally invasive operation, this is the most common type of gallbladder removal operation. The surgeon will make three or four small incisions on your abdomen and insert a small tube containing a light and a camera. This allows the surgeon to visualize the gallbladder on a nearby monitor. By looking at the monitor, the surgeon can remove the gallbladder without large incisions. Once removed, the small incisions are closed and the patient can usually leave the surgical on the same day or within 24 hours.
Open Cholecystectomy
An open cholecystectomy involves creating a single large incision over the gallbladder. The surgeon will not use a camera and instead will view the gallbladder by creating a large enough incision to view the organ directly. This type of procedure will typically result in a longer stay in the surgical center and an increased recovery time because the larger incision takes more time to heal. There’s also a slightly higher risk of complications with this procedure.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Often shortened to ERCP, this procedure is performed to treat a bile duct that has narrowed or become blocked by a gallstone. The operation involves guiding a small tube with a light and a camera down your throat, and once in place a special dye is released so the ducts and potential blockages can be seen on an X-ray. The surgeon may then insert surgical tools through the small tube to fix the blockage. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with a gallbladder removal.
Cholecystostomy
A cholecystostomy is an operation that involves draining the gallbladder in order to reduce swelling. If gallstones or other blockages are preventing bile from passing through the gallbladder, it can retain bile and swell, causing pain and potentially serious issues. One complication of a swollen gallbladder is that surgery may be higher-risk, so the surgical team may opt to drain the gallbladder to reduce swelling prior to removing the organ. The process is pretty simple, and it involves making a couple small incisions and inserting a catheter through which bile can be drained. The procedure is usually a precursor to gallbladder removal.
Lithotripsy
This rarely used treatment is actually non-surgical in nature, but it is sometimes used to treat gallstones. This process involves using high-energy sound waves to break the stones into smaller pieces so they can pass through the bile ducts and out of the gallbladder. While it can be helpful in the short-term, since you’ve already dealt with gallstone formation, it’s likely that they will return in the future, so it’s rare that this method is used when a cholecystectomy can fully prevent future gallstone issues.
