Gallbladder removal (Cholecystectomy) at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital

What is gallbladder removal surgery? 

Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as a cholecystectomy, removes the gallbladder when it becomes painful or diseased, usually due to gallstones.

At Nuffield Health, most operations are performed as a laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy, which uses several small incisions and a camera, resulting in less pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery.

But first, what is the gallbladder and what does it do?

The gallbladder is a small pouch under the liver that stores bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps digest fats and absorb certain vitamins. When you eat, the gallbladder squeezes bile into the small intestine to help digest and absorb fats and some vitamins.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form when the components of bile become unbalanced. Affecting roughly 10-15% of adults in the UK, the risk of getting gallstones can increase with age and with diets high in fat, refined carbohydrates and sugars.

Gallstones can either remain silent or cause severe symptoms such as repeated attacks of abdominal pain which can be due to one of these:

• Biliary colic: Stones blocking the gallbladder duct (cystic duct), stopping the gallbladder from emptying
• Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder.

If stones move into the common bile duct, they can cause:

• Jaundice: Symptoms include yellowing of the eyes, pale stools and dark urine
• Cholangitis: Infection and inflammation of the bile ducts
• Acute pancreatitis: When your pancreas is severely inflamed.

These complications can be serious and sometimes life‑threatening.

Gallstones in children

Children can develop gallstones due to:

• High‑fat diets
• Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): Essential nutrients being given through an intravenous (IV) catheter
• Blood conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, hereditary spherocytosis or elliptocytosis.

If your child experiences any symptoms, they’re likely to continue if surgery isn’t considered.

What are the different types of gallbladder removal surgery?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole surgery)

This is the most common approach and is associated with less pain, smaller scars and a faster recovery than open surgery.

Open cholecystectomy

Open surgery is used when keyhole surgery isn’t safe or possible. Recovery can take longer, and you may need to stay in hospital for several days. It may be planned or performed if keyhole surgery needs to be converted during the operation.

Subtotal (partial) cholecystectomy

This is used when inflammation or scarring makes it unsafe to remove the entire gallbladder.

Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy

Some centres use robotic technology to perform keyhole surgery with enhanced precision. Your surgeon controls robotic instruments from a console, allowing very fine movements. The benefits are similar to laparoscopic surgery, with small incisions and a quick recovery.

How do I know if I need my gallbladder removed?

You may need surgery if you have:

• Repeated attacks of abdominal pain
• Gallbladder inflammation
• Jaundice
• Infection
• Stones in the bile ducts
• Pancreatitis.

If you’re a woman, you may be asked to take a pregnancy test before surgery, as some medications and imaging used during the procedure can affect an unborn baby. Sometimes the test doesn't show an early-stage pregnancy, so let the healthcare team know if you could be pregnant. This also applies to older girls undergoing paediatric cholecystectomy.

You may not be suitable for keyhole surgery if you:

• Have severe inflammation
• Have had multiple previous abdominal surgeries
• Have certain medical conditions that make anaesthesia unsafe.

If left untreated, gallstone disease can cause persistent pain, fever, jaundice and serious complications.

What are the alternatives to gallbladder removal surgery?

Endoscopic procedures (ERCP): This procedure is used to remove stones from the bile ducts, but does not remove the gallbladder.

Non‑surgical treatments: These are rarely effective long‑term but may provide temporary relief:

• Oral dissolution therapy (ursodiol): For small cholesterol stones
• Shock wave lithotripsy: Used to break gallstones
• Cholecystolithotomy: Removes gallstones but your gallbladder is left in place.

These alternatives, however, do not cure the condition, and symptoms usually come back.

How can I prepare for gallbladder removal surgery?

Pre‑operative assessment

You’ll meet the healthcare team to review your medical history, medications and anaesthetic options.

Medication

Tell your team about all medications, including:

• Blood thinners
• Herbal remedies
• Supplements
• Over‑the‑counter medicines.

Lifestyle preparation

• Stop smoking several weeks before surgery
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Follow any special diet recommended to shrink the liver
• Avoid shaving or waxing the surgical area for a week
• Shower the day before or on the day of surgery
• Keep blood sugar controlled if diabetic.

How can I prepare for my child for gallbladder removal surgery?

Parents can help by ensuring their child:

• Maintains a healthy weight
• Has a bath or shower before surgery
• Stays warm
• Has all medications reviewed by the team.

What happens during gallbladder removal surgery?

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually performed under general anaesthetic and takes about 1 hour. For children, the duration can vary between 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy
Your surgeon will:

1. Make a small cut near the belly button
2. Inflate the abdomen with carbon dioxide
3. Make several small cuts for instruments
4. Insert a laparoscope (camera)
5. Free the cystic duct and artery
6. Clip and cut the duct and artery
7. Separate the gallbladder from the liver
8. Remove it through one of the incisions
9. Close the cuts with stitches or staples.

Bile duct exploration
If stones are suspected in the bile duct, dye may be injected and an X‑ray or ultrasound performed. Stones may be removed using:

• A wire basket
• A balloon catheter
• A small cut in the duct
• A temporary stent if stones cannot be removed immediately.

Open cholecystectomy
If open surgery is planned, or if keyhole surgery needs to be converted during the operation, your surgeon will make a larger incision on your upper abdomen. This may be:

• A vertical cut in the midline, or
• More commonly, a cut just under the right ribcage.

During open surgery, your surgeon will:

• Free up the cystic duct and artery
• Inject dye into the bile duct if needed to check for stones
• Remove any stones found in the bile duct
• Separate the gallbladder from the liver
• Remove the gallbladder through the incision
• Close the wound with stitches or clips.

Open surgery usually takes about an hour, though it may be longer if bile‑duct stones need to be removed.

Subtotal cholecystectomy
If inflammation is severe, most of the gallbladder may be removed instead of all of it.

After the procedure

You’ll wake in the recovery room, where your wounds, blood pressure, and pulse will be checked.

You may also have:

• A drain to remove fluid
• A drip to keep you hydrated

Most patients go home the same day or stay one night. Children usually stay around 1–2 days.

How long does it take to recover from gallbladder removal?

In hospital

If you had keyhole surgery, you can usually go home the same day or after one night. If you had open surgery, you may need to stay 4–5 days in hospital.

Short‑term recovery

You may have:

• Wound pain
• Bloating
• Shoulder pain from trapped gas.

These usually ease within a few days. At home

It’s important that you:

• Rest initially, then stay active to prevent blood clots
• Take your prescribed painkillers
• Avoid heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks (or longer if open surgery or strenuous labour)
• Follow any dietary advice
• Exercise regularly.

How about recovery for my child?

Your child may:

• Return to school after 2–3 weeks
• Need help avoiding strenuous activity
• Need monitoring for vomiting, fever or abdominal swelling.

Red‑flag symptoms Contact the healthcare team urgently if you notice:

• Worsening pain
• Fever
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Persistent nausea or loss of appetite
• Not passing wind or opening bowels
• Abdominal swelling
• Difficulty passing urine
• Jaundice
• Vomiting (especially yellow or green in children).

What are the benefits of gallbladder removal surgery?

• Relief from gallstone pain
• Prevention of future attacks
• Reduced risk of infection or pancreatitis
• Quick recovery with keyhole surgery
• Long‑term improvement in quality of life.

Despite this surgery sounding quite intense with the removal of an organ, your body is still able to function normally without a gallbladder.

What are the risks and possible complications of gallbladder removal?

As with any surgery, risks and complications can occur. Your surgeon will discuss them with you before your surgery.

General surgical risks include:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring
• Blood clots (DVT).

Keyhole surgery risks include:

• Damage to bowel, liver or blood vessels
• Hernia at port sites
• Surgical emphysema (where air or gas gets trapped in the layer of tissue right under your skin)
• Gas embolism (a dangerous blockage in a blood vessel caused by one or more air or gas bubbles. This is very rare.)

Open cholecystectomy risks

Open surgery carries similar risks to keyhole surgery but may involve:

• A longer recovery time
• A larger scar
• A slightly higher risk of wound infection
• A higher chance of developing a hernia at the incision site.

Cholecystectomy‑specific risks include:

• Bile leakage
• Retained stones
• Diarrhoea
• Peritonitis
• Bile duct injury (rare but serious)
• Adhesions (scar tissue)
• Allergic reactions to equipment or dye
• Stones forming again in the common bile duct
• Narrowing of the bile duct
• Bowel injury
• Ileus: Temporary bowel paralysis causing bloating and vomiting
• Pancreatitis if a stone moves into the bile duct

Bile‑duct exploration complications

If your surgeon needs to explore the bile duct during surgery, additional risks include:

• Bile leakage after the tube is removed; this usually settles in 1–2 days
• Infection around the tube site
• Difficulty removing the tube, requiring it to stay in longer
• Retained stones, which may need removal through the tube or with a flexible telescope.

Risks and complications in children

Children may also experience:

• Bowel injury
• Liver vessel injury
• Unsightly scarring if wounds become infected

The healthcare team will do their best to minimise any risks. Make sure you discuss any concerns you may have about these complications with your consultant (surgeon).

How much does gallbladder removal surgery cost at Nuffield Health?

Select your local Nuffield Health hospital to find contact details and guide prices for gallbladder removal surgery. Please note that the guide price stated is an approximate cost of treatment only. You will be given a fixed all-inclusive price for treatment following your initial consultation with a consultant.