A cholecystectomy is most often used to treat gallstones and the complications they cause.

Your health care team may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have:

 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.

There are two types of Cholecystectomy:

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, less invasive. That means it uses very small incisions in your belly. There
is less bleeding. And the recovery time is usually shorter than it is for open surgery.

Open Cholecystectomy, the surgeon makes a 6-inch, or 15-centimeter, incision in your abdomen below
your ribs on your right side. The muscle and tissue are pulled back to reveal your liver and gallbladder.
Your surgeon then removes the gallbladder. The incision is closed, and you're taken to a recovery area.

When laparoscopic surgery cannot be done safely. In some cases, the surgeon needs to switch to an
open surgery if laparoscopic surgery cannot be successfully continued. Other reasons for removing the
gallbladder by open surgery: Unexpected bleeding during the laparoscopic operation.

During Open Cholecystectomy, the patient is given general anesthesia (General anesthesia or general
anesthesia is a method of medically inducing loss of consciousness that renders a patient unarousable
even with painful stimuli.)

 Kelly clamps, Kocher forceps, needle holders, scissors, clips, suctions, knife/knife handles,
forceps, retractors, right-angle clamps, Kitner dissectors, and electrosurgical devices should be
assembled
 Balfour retractors, Bookwalter retractors, or other self-retaining retractors can be used,
according to the surgeon's preference
 Sutures or clips can be used to control the cystic duct and artery, depending on the surgeon's
preference and the size of the structures (see Technique); long instruments may be needed,
depending on the body habitus of the patient
Medicines may be given to prevent or fight a bacterial infection such as Cefazolin, control pain such as
paracetamol, ibuprofen, or codeine if stronger medication is needed, or prevent nausea. You may also
be given medicine to help you have a bowel movement such as Correctol, Ex-Lax, and Senokot.