Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal surgery) 

A minimally invasive approach

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a type of minimally invasive surgery used to remove the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver that helps in digesting fats.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes 3 to 4 small cuts (incisions) in the abdomen. A thin tube with a camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted through one of these cuts, allowing the surgeon to see inside your body. Special tools are then used to carefully remove the gallbladder through the other small incisions.

Because the surgery is performed through small incisions rather than a larger cut, recovery is typically quicker. Patients often experience less pain and scarring compared to traditional open surgery, which requires a larger incision. Most people can go home the same day or the next and usually return to normal activities within about a week.

For those needing gallbladder removal, laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers an effective solution with a faster recovery time.

Who is a Candidate?

Patients requiring removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) due to gallstone-related or gallbladder diseases.

Common indications include:

• Symptomatic gallstones (biliary colic)
• Acute or chronic cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
• Gallstone pancreatitis (after stabilisation)
• Gallbladder polyps >1 cm.

Recovery Timeline

This is likely to vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Usually day surgery or overnight stay
• Initial recovery:
  • Mild abdominal discomfort and shoulder tip pain for a few days
  • Resume light diet within 24 hours.
• Return to light activities: 1–2 weeks
• Full recovery: 2–4 weeks, depending on patient fitness and job type
• Return to normal diet: Gradually; some may temporarily experience bloating or loose stools after fatty foods.

Benefits

• Minimally invasive - small incisions, faster healing, minimal scarring
• Short hospital stay and quick recovery compared to open surgery
• Effective relief of gallstone symptoms (pain, nausea, indigestion)
• Prevents recurrence of gallstone-related complications
• Low postoperative complication rate with experienced surgical teams.

Risks

• Bile duct injury (rare but serious; may require reconstruction)
• Bleeding or infection at incision sites
• Bile leak from cystic duct stump or small accessory ducts
• Injury to nearby organs (liver, bowel, blood vessels)
• Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (persistent pain or indigestion in a small number of patients)
• Conversion to open surgery if anatomy is unclear or complications arise.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold-standard treatment for gallbladder disease, offering fast recovery, minimal scarring, and long-term symptom relief, but demands careful surgical technique to avoid bile duct injury.

This is just an outline. Your specialist surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.