Gallbladder Surgery

Minimally Invasive Gallbladder Surgery

Over 700,000 people in the United States have their gallbladder removed each year, a procedure also known as a cholecystectomy. Gallbladder surgeries at Franciscan Health centers are performed with traditional laparoscopy involving multiple small incisions or with robotic-assisted surgery using a single small incision.

If you’ve been told you need gallbladder surgery, ask your doctor about da Vinci Surgery ®. It is a minimally invasive procedure, performed through a single small incision using state-of-the-art technology. Benefits of the surgery include faster recovery, low blood loss and less scarring.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient's anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera. In real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

Why do I need my gallbladder removed?

Your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal surgery if you have gallstones or your gallbladder is not working normally (biliary dyskinesia). Symptoms of gallbladder issues include indigestion, infection (cholecystitis), nausea, vomiting and pain after eating, usually in the upper right or upper middle area of your belly (epigastric pain).

Changes in your diet can sometimes help with gallbladder symptoms, but doctors often recommend removing the gallbladder to ease or get rid of severe symptoms.