Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and during it 4 small incisions (up to 2 cm) are made on your abdomen to allow the passage of the laparoscopic instruments. The abdomen is inflated with gas (carbon dioxide) so that enough room is created for the surgeon to perform the surgery with safety. The gas is harmless and gets absorbed very quickly by the body a few hours after the surgery. Once your gallbladder has been removed in the operating room, the gas insufflation of your abdomen will stop and the incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures. The procedure typically takes 1 hour and most patients get discharged from hospital on the following day. Patients will be allowed to eat on the same day following their surgery and will be able to mobilise independently. Most patients return to their normal activities within 10-14 days from the day of surgery.

It is worth mentioning that between 1 out of 30 to 1 out of 40 cholecystectomies cannot be completed with the laparoscopic approach for a variety of reasons and in these situations the surgeon will choose to convert to an open operation in the interest of patient safety. Recovery following surgery will be slower in such cases.