Hepato-pancreato-biliary: Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is a surgery to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that sits just below the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores a digestive fluid made in the liver called bile. Cholecystectomy is typically done laparoscopically or robotically, and in some cases in an open fashion. A cholecystectomy is most often used to treat gallstones and the complications they cause.
Cholecystectomy is recommended in the following settings:
Gallstones in the gallbladder that are causing symptoms, called cholelithiasis
Gallstones in the bile duct, called choledocholithiasis
Gallbladder inflammation, called cholecystitis
Large gallbladder polyps, which can turn cancerous
Pancreas inflammation, called pancreatitis, from gallstones
Concern for cancer of the gallbladder
