Conditions/Gallbladder Disease/Chapter
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Standard keyhole removal of the gallbladder for symptomatic stones, cholecystitis, and selected polyp or biliary indications.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the usual definitive treatment when gallstones cause biliary colic, cholecystitis, or related complications, and for selected polyp indications. Through small ports the cystic duct and artery are identified within the critical view of safety, clipped, and the gallbladder is removed from the liver bed. Most patients go home quickly; duct injury is uncommon but serious — technique and patience around Calot’s triangle matter more than speed.
Figure labels (English)
- Keyhole ports
- Camera
- Instruments
Related educational figures
Tap a figure to enlarge.
Polyp context Robotic alternative
Who may be a candidate?
- Recurrent biliary colic from gallstones
- Acute or resolving cholecystitis suitable for laparoscopic removal
- Selected gallbladder polyps meeting size/risk criteria
- Gallstone pancreatitis after the acute phase, when duct clearance is addressed
Possible advantages
- Small incisions and usually rapid return to daily activity
- Definitive removal of the stone reservoir (the gallbladder)
- Same-day or short-stay pathways in many elective cases
- Wide worldwide experience as the default approach
Limits & realistic expectations
- Dense inflammation, Mirizzi syndrome, or unclear anatomy may need conversion or subtotal strategies
- Common bile duct stones may need ERCP before/after surgery
- Bile-duct injury risk is low but life-altering if it occurs — critical view of safety is non-negotiable
- Not every acute abdomen with RUQ pain is ‘just stones’
Step-by-step overview
- 1
Work-up
Ultrasound and labs; MRCP/ERCP if duct stones or jaundice are suspected.
- 2
Ports and exposure
Pneumoperitoneum, camera, and working instruments expose the gallbladder and Calot’s triangle.
- 3
Critical view of safety
Cystic duct and artery are clearly identified before any clipping — the key safety step.
- 4
Division and dissection
Structures are clipped/divided; gallbladder is dissected from the liver bed.
- 5
Extraction
The gallbladder is removed in a bag through a port site; haemostasis is checked.
- 6
Recovery
Early walking, light diet progression, and wound care; watch for fever, jaundice, or bilious drainage.
Key points
- Typical indicationsTap for details
Symptomatic cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis (timing individualized), gallstone pancreatitis after stabilisation, and selected polyps. Asymptomatic stones alone rarely mandate surgery.
- Critical view of safetyTap for details · key note inside
Before clipping, two structures entering the gallbladder and a cleared hepatocystic triangle should be demonstrated. Shortcuts here raise bile-duct injury risk.
- When the operation is harderTap for details
Severe acute inflammation, chronic scarring, obesity, prior upper-abdominal surgery, or Mirizzi physiology increase difficulty and may change strategy.
- Aftercare red flagsTap for details · key note inside
Worsening abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, persistent vomiting, or bile-like fluid from wounds needs urgent review for leak, retained stone, or infection.
- Diet after surgeryTap for details
Start light and advance as tolerated. A permanent ultra-low-fat diet is not mandatory for everyone; balanced eating is the usual long-term advice.
- ImportantTap for details · key note inside
Educational information only — operative timing and duct management are individualized.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is a candidate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?Tap for details
Candidacy depends on confirmed diagnosis, anatomy, fitness for anesthesia, and whether the expected benefit outweighs procedural risk.
- Is robotic surgery always better?Tap for details
Not automatically. Robotics can help in selected anatomy; indication and surgical quality matter more than the platform name.
- What are common recovery themes?Tap for details
Early walking, pain control, diet advancement, and temporary activity limits are typical; exact timelines are individualized.
- What warning signs after surgery need urgent review?Tap for details
Fever, worsening pain, wound problems, vomiting with obstipation, shortness of breath, or heavy bleeding.
More chapters in this hub
Appointment / info
Educational information only; not a substitute for clinical evaluation.
Medical editor: Assoc. Prof. Cengiz Dibekoğlu, MD · Last medically reviewed: August 2026 · English patient-education chapter.