Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)

A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver that stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver used for digestion. This procedure is used for conditions like gallstones, cancerous tumors, infections, or other gallbladder dysfunctions.

At Penn Medicine, our expert surgical team includes specialists with an exceptional level of skill in gallbladder surgery. Our surgeons routinely treat complex gallbladder issues many centers rarely see, offering expertise that doesn’t exist elsewhere in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey region.

In addition, our surgeons use a special type of x-ray called a cholangiogram. This technology gives a detailed, real-time view of the biliary tree (bile ducts and tubes) during surgery. This up-close view of tiny structures increases your chances of a better result—even for the most complex procedures.

Your Penn Medicine provider may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have one of the following conditions:

• Acute cholecystitis: This form of gallbladder inflammation is characterized by a sudden onset of the condition, often triggered by gallstones or other conditions that obstruct the proper flow of bile. Additionally, an infection or reduced blood flow to the gallbladder can also lead to acute inflammation.
• Chronic cholecystitis: This type of gallbladder inflammation develops more gradually, with inflammation progressing over an extended period. Chronic cholecystitis can also stem from gallstones or diseases that impede bile flow, often due to repeated or prolonged irritation. Infection or decreased blood flow can contribute, but are a less common cause compared to their role in acute cases.
• Gallstones: These hardened deposits vary in size, ranging from a grain of sand to a golf ball. They develop when there’s an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, such as cholesterol or bilirubin. Most cholecystectomies are performed because of gallstones.
• Gallbladder cancer: This rare type of cancer develops when cells in the gallbladder begin to grow uncontrollably. In some cases, a tumor can cause pain on the right side of your abdomen. 

Before your gallbladder removal surgery, your doctor will explain the procedure and provide time for your questions. Your care team will review your medications, discuss your health history, and inform you on how to prepare for surgery.

Your surgeon will perform either an open surgery or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic surgery is a less invasive procedure. Whenever possible, surgeons at Penn Medicine use minimally invasive techniques, resulting in smaller incisions, reduced pain, and quicker recovery times.

On the day of your procedure, you can expect the following:

• You’ll receive anesthesia with sedation, ensuring you’re asleep and pain-free during the surgery. 
• If you’re having open surgery, your doctor will make one incision in your abdomen around 10 to 15 centimeters long. They’ll remove your gallbladder and insert a drain to allow excess fluid to be removed as you heal.
• If you’re having laparoscopic cholecystectomy, your surgeon will make three or four small incisions in your abdomen around one to three centimeters long. They’ll insert a small tube into one of the incisions and use carbon dioxide gas to inflate your abdomen. This creates space by separating your abdominal walls from your organs. Using a small lighted camera and surgical tools, your surgeon will remove your gallbladder, release the gas from your abdomen, and seal the incisions with stitches.
• Both open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic gallbladder removal take about one to two hours.
• Following the surgery, you’ll receive close monitoring as you wake up from anesthesia, and pain medication will be given as needed.
• If you had an open gallbladder removal surgery, you may need to remain in the hospital for a couple of days. When you’re released to go home, the drain may still be in place. Your provider will let you know how to care for it and when to come back to have it removed.
• If you had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, you may be able to go home the same day.

It’s important to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgical team. These visits allow them to monitor your recovery and provide any additional care or support you may need.

Gallbladder surgery recovery can vary from person to person depending on the type of surgery you had. If you had an open gallbladder removal surgery, recovery could take six to eight weeks. If you had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, recovery takes about two weeks.

It’s important to remember that gallbladder removal alters the biliary tract, affecting digestion. Normally, the gallbladder stores bile and releases it during heavy meals. After a cholecystectomy, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine without storage. Most people experience temporary digestive issues, particularly with fatty foods and heavy meals, which usually improve over time. While most people can resume a normal diet after recovery, some may have longer-term digestive difficulties. Your Penn Medicine care team will address any questions or concerns you may have.

We treat a wide range of issues affecting the gallbladder and biliary tract, including problems not routinely seen at other centers in the greater Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Princeton areas. Many physicians refer complex cases, such as bile duct obstructions and severe gallbladder inflammation, to us for our team’s expertise. Treating a high volume of complicated cases means we’re comfortable performing sophisticated procedures, and we get excellent results.

When you partner with us, you can expect:

• Highly skilled surgeons: Our gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons are recognized both regionally and nationally for their surgical skills and compassionate approach. Fellowship training and decades of experience help us deliver outstanding outcomes with fewer complications.
• Minimally invasive options: Our surgeons are experts in laparoscopic surgery techniques, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Minimally invasive surgery can provide excellent results with the potential of a faster or less painful recovery. /li>
• Convenience and flexibility: Our GI surgeons perform gallbladder surgeries at several hospitals throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey region so you can get the care you need close to home. In addition, virtual visits make it easier to schedule follow-up appointments when it’s convenient for you.
• Collaboration with experts: Our gallbladder surgeons work closely with other specialists to provide precise, individualized care. We coordinate diagnostic tests and treatments to help you get the care you need.

In addition, we guide you through the process to prepare for surgery and help you recover afterward. Our providers are here for you every step of the way.