Is cholecystectomy a major surgery?

Cholecystectomy is a common procedure with a typically easy recovery. It’s also one of the first procedures that’s become routinely performed using minimally invasive surgery techniques. These techniques, including laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, use very small incisions of a half-inch or less to minimize trauma, pain and recovery time. While an open operation with a larger incision may occasionally be necessary, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is far more common today than open surgery.

Why is cholecystectomy done?

You might need gallbladder removal surgery if gallbladder disease:

• Interferes with your quality of life.
• Poses significant risks to your health.
• Is expected to continue and/or get worse.

Unfortunately, this is the case with most of the conditions that can affect your gallbladder, including:

• Gallstone disease.
• Chronic cholecystitis.
• Gallbladder cancer.