You probably do not think about your gallbladder often, if at all. When a gallbladder attack occurs, though, causing intense pain and other symptoms, you will quickly wonder how to find relief. Gallbladder surgery may be recommended as the solution.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked just below the liver. It is responsible for storing and releasing bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver that helps the body digest fats in the foods you eat.
When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile, which then flows to the small intestine. The amount of bile released varies depending on how much fat is in the foods you eat.
Problems with the gallbladder can occur if gallstones form. Gallstones are just what they sound like—stone-like material that forms in the gallbladder. Gallstones can be made of cholesterol or bilirubin, with cholesterol stones being most common.
These stones can vary in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. In some cases, gallstones may be what is known as “silent,” meaning they do not cause symptoms. Sometimes, however, gallstones can block the bile ducts of your biliary tract, causing a gallbladder attack affecting the upper right abdomen. Treatment is needed to avoid complications.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, gallstones affect up to one million Americans each year. In a quarter of those cases, gallbladder surgery is needed.
The standard gallbladder surgery is a procedure known as cholecystectomy, which is the removal of the gallbladder. This may sound extreme, but the gallbladder is not considered an essential organ and you can live without it.
During gallbladder surgery, the gallbladder is removed. The body adjusts to function without the gallbladder—bile flows from the liver through ducts and directly to the small intestine.
A cholecystectomy can be performed as an open, or traditional, procedure through large incisions or as a laparoscopic or robotic procedure using smaller incisions. Laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder surgeries offer many benefits, including a reduced risk of complications and a quicker recovery.
It is important to note that an open procedure may be necessary if the gallbladder is inflamed or infected. Your Hattiesburg Clinic surgeon can help determine the type of procedure that is best for your needs.
When gallbladder attacks are causing you pain and discomfort or your gallbladder simply is not functioning correctly, gallbladder surgery may be the solution.
The board-certified surgeons at Hattiesburg Clinic are here to help, offering the latest advancements in gallbladder surgery. With years of expertise in performing surgery to remove the gallbladder, we are committed to providing patients with safe, effective outcomes and a seamless recovery.