Laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy procedures are advanced, minimally invasive techniques for removing the gallbladder. This may be necessary if you develop one of the many forms of gallbladder disease, including gallstones, inflammation (cholecystitis), infection, or a blockage (biliary dyskinesia).
The problem with gallbladder disease is that it can remain asymptomatic for years, preventing early treatment of the disease that can sometimes be controlled by dietary changes. However, once you actually begin to feel the symptoms of gallbladder disease, surgery is often the most effective way to correct the problem. Otherwise, you may continue to experience pain, tissue decay, and digestive problems that can pose great dangers to your health.
Our board-certified general surgeons at Suburban Surgical Care Specialists/Kane Center are well-equipped to help patients throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities who are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder disease.
- What the Gallbladder Does
- Gallbladder Disease Symptoms
- Gallstones vs. Other Gallbladder Conditions
- Leaving Gallbladder Disease Untreated
- Robotic Cholecystectomy Procedure
- Length of Gallbladder Surgery
- Gallbladder Surgery Recovery
- Exercising After Gallbladder Surgery
- Gallbladder Surgery Scars
- Robotic Cholecystectomy Complications
What Does the Gallbladder Do?
The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile produced by the liver. When you eat, this bile is sent through ducts into the small intestine to aid in digesting fat. When the gallbladder becomes inflamed or the ducts are blocked, this can eventually lead to a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease?
Some common symptoms of gallbladder disease include:
- Abdominal or back pain
- Bloating
- Chest Pain
- Fever or chills
- Loose stools
- jaundice
- Nausea and/or vomiting
These symptoms are usually felt right after meals, especially after consuming fatty or greasy foods. Once patients begin to feel the symptoms of gallbladder disease, surgery is usually needed to remove the gallstones, or even the entire damaged gallbladder itself.
Gallstones vs. Other Gallbladder Conditions
Gallstones are the most common reason for gallbladder removal surgery, but they are not the only one. Gallstones form when bile hardens into small deposits inside the gallbladder, which can block bile ducts and cause significant pain, nausea, and inflammation. However, other conditions can also require a cholecystectomy.
- Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder that can occur with or without gallstones and may become chronic if left untreated.
- Biliary dyskinesia refers to a motility disorder in which the gallbladder does not empty properly, leading to ongoing digestive discomfort even without the presence of stones.
- In some cases, gallbladder polyps or a gallbladder infection may also warrant surgical removal.
Regardless of the underlying condition, our surgeons will thoroughly evaluate your diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate course of gallbladder treatment.
What Happens If Gallbladder Disease Goes Untreated?
Ignoring the symptoms of gallbladder disease can lead to increasingly serious health complications over time. Gallstones that are left untreated can grow larger, block bile ducts, and cause severe, recurring pain. Prolonged inflammation of the gallbladder, known as chronic cholecystitis, can lead to scarring and loss of normal gallbladder function.
In more serious cases, a blocked bile duct can result in infection spreading to the liver or pancreas, leading to conditions such as pancreatitis or cholangitis that require emergency medical intervention. A gallbladder that becomes severely infected or gangrenous may rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder disease, it is important not to delay evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment by a qualified gallbladder surgeon can prevent complications and lead to a much smoother recovery.
What Does Gallbladder Removal Surgery Entail?
At Suburban Surgical Care Specialists/Kane Center, our surgeons typically treat gallbladder disease with minimally-invasive surgical approaches performed either robotically or laparoscopically. Each procedure utilizes small incisions, which can result in less time spent in the hospital, a lower risk of complications, minimal pain, decreased blood loss, faster recovery time, and reduced scarring compared to traditional open cholecystectomy surgery. Read below for more information about each procedure:
Robotic Cholecystectomy
A robotic cholecystectomy with the da Vinci® Surgical System can be performed with just a few small incisions that are less than one inch in length, allowing our surgeons to carefully insert small robotic instruments into the treatment area. The robotic optics amplify the surgeon’s vision to better identify the surgical field and mimic the surgeon’s hand for increased dexterity with smaller, more precise movements. With this advanced robotic technology, the surgeon controls robotic instrumentation and a high-definition, 3D camera to perform a more exact and controlled dissection of tissues to remove the affected areas causing gallbladder disease. Overall, robotic cholecystectomy has proved to be an effective option for our patients with high satisfaction rates.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
For many years, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been used to successfully remove the gallbladder when disease is present. Laparoscopic surgery is a delicate process that requires surgical precision and advanced skills to create incisions for inserting a laparoscope (a thin tube with a tiny, state-of-the-art camera on the end) to perform this advanced procedure. During laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, our surgeons typically make four small incisions each about half an inch in length on the abdomen. One incision is utilized to insert the laparoscope, which is attached to a viewing monitor to see the body’s internal structures and shows the gallbladder on a screen. The other incisions are used to position other surgical tools and remove the gallbladder and any gallstones. This effective procedure typically requires a recovery time of just one to two weeks.
How Long Does Gallbladder Removal Surgery Take?
The entire robotic cholecystectomy procedure typically takes less than one hour. Patients usually can leave the hospital the same day following surgery, with a typical hospital stay of two hours.
What Can I Expect After Gallbladder Removal Surgery?
Full recovery from the minimally-invasive surgery generally occurs within a couple of weeks. By undergoing the robotic-assisted or laparoscopic gallbladder removal procedures, patients can experience a much shorter recovery process. Whereas with an open cholecystectomy, patients may require two to three days in the hospital, with a total recovery time of about four to six weeks.
During the recovery process, it is important to be mindful of your diet and portion size to avoid gastric issues. Generally, patients should not eat fatty, greasy, processed, and sugary foods following surgery as they can lead to painful gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Our surgeons recommend starting with liquids and then slowly introducing:
- High-fiber foods (whole and sprouted grains, beans, oats, lentils)
- Lean meats (chicken, turkey, salmon, white fish) and tofu
- Fruits and vegetables high in nutrients (broccoli, cauliflower, avocado, berries)
- Cooking oil with healthy fats (avocado, olive, or coconut oil)
- Low-fat or fat-free food (milk, yogurt, cheese)
To help you know what to expect after your gallbladder surgery, our surgeons will go over the recovery period with you, as well as provide post-operative care instructions to promote safe and comfortable healing.
When Can I Exercise After Gallbladder Surgery?
Returning to physical activity after gallbladder removal surgery depends on the type of procedure performed and how your recovery progresses. Most patients who undergo a minimally invasive robotic or laparoscopic cholecystectomy can begin light walking within a day or two of surgery, which is actually encouraged to support circulation and healing.
Low-impact activity such as short walks can typically be increased gradually over the first week. More strenuous exercise, including running, weightlifting, and core-intensive movements, should generally be avoided for two to four weeks following a minimally invasive procedure, and longer after open surgery. Your surgeon will provide personalized guidance based on your specific procedure and recovery, so it is important to follow their recommendations before resuming any exercise routine.
Will I Have Visible Scars After Gallbladder Surgery?
The incisions made during a robotic or laparoscopic cholecystectomy gradually heal over time to be flatter and lighter in color. Fortunately, with these minimally-invasive procedures, the three or four small incisions tend to fade significantly over the first year and become less noticeable. Additionally, taking proper care of the incisions after surgery can aid in the recovery process and minimize the time needed to fully heal.
What Complications Are Associated with a Cholecystectomy?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks to gallbladder surgery. Potential risks of a cholecystectomy include injury to the bile duct, bile leakage, pancreatitis, and remaining stones in the bile duct. However, a robotic cholecystectomy is designed to minimize these risks and our surgeons take the utmost precautions to ensure the safest possible treatment. More detailed information about the risks of your procedure will be explained to you before surgery, ensuring you can make an informed decision about your health.
Learn More About Gallbladder Surgery
If you have any questions about robotic cholecystectomy, or if you are interested in scheduling a consultation with one of our surgeons, please contact us today.
Medical Resources for Gallbladder Removal Surgery:
Healthline: Gallbladder Removal Diet: What to Eat and What to Skip