2 Types of Gallbladder Surgery: Which One is Right for You?

Your gallbladder is one of those body parts that you most likely never think about. It resides just under your liver on the right side of your abdomen. You may not even fully realize what role it plays in your automatic, everyday functions. When your gallbladder is healthy, it houses a combination of fat, cholesterol, and fluids called bile, which helps your small intestine in the process of digestion and nutrient absorption.

At Desert West Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, our team of minimally invasive surgeons specializes in gallbladder surgery when you develop a problem and need urgent medical care. In this blog, they address some of the symptoms you should be aware of and discuss the two types of surgery that they use in our state-of-the art clinic in Las Vegas.

Symptoms of a gallbladder problem 

Several things can cause your gallbladder to fail, including polyps, cancer, perforation, abscess, and inflammation. Anything that affects the performance of your gallbladder is considered gallbladder disease. Some common signs that your gallbladder is not functioning include:

• Pain
• Acid reflux
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Digestive problems
• High fever
• Jaundice
• Chills
• Light-colored stools
• Dark urine

If your symptoms are due to gallstones, one or several stones can obstruct the duct that transports bile out of your gallbladder. This is a serious condition that often requires medical intervention.

Treatment options

Our team evaluates the severity of your gallstone condition with CT scans, an MRI, and bloodwork. If it’s necessary to move forward with surgical removal of your gallbladder, we offer these two types of surgery:

Open Cholecystectomy

If you have extensive infection or inflammation, your doctor may determine that the best course of action is to perform a traditional surgery to remove your failing gallbladder. Your surgeon makes a 6-inch incision in your abdomen and pulls your gallbladder out. You’ll recover for a couple of nights at the hospital and then continue your healing for a few weeks at home.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

When possible, we use the laparoscopic cholecystectomy because it’s minimally invasive, and your recovery time is much quicker. Using high-tech scopes and monitors, your skilled surgeon extracts your gallbladder through a tiny incision. You won’t have to stay overnight in the hospital, and you can resume your routine in just a few days.

If you need gallbladder removal surgery, trust the experienced and dedicated team at Desert West Surgery. Call the location closest to you or book your appointment online.