Gallbladder Removal: Causes, Symptoms & Surgical Procedure

Just below the liver is a sac called the gall bladder. The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile. It contains substances that emulsify fats and stimulates the enzymes that break them down. Dysfunctional gall bladders are sometimes removed.

Reasons

• Gallbladder removal may be done when you have gallstones (hard, pebble-like deposits on your gallbladder) or if the gallbladder is not working properly. There may be infections, blockages or inflammation.

Removal

• Surgery takes place under general anesthesia. A large incision, five to seven inches long opens the area near the gallbladder. The surgeon lifts out the gallbladder. A cholangiogram X-ray is done during the surgery to locate additional stones external to the bladder. They are also removed. Surgery generally takes about an hour.

Recovery

• The hospital stay may last up to six days. Fluids are fed through an intravenous tube at first. Patients go home when there is no sign of infection or bleeding, the patient can move about and blood circulation is normal.