Digestive Disorders Health Center
Open gallbladder surgery for gallstones
In
open gallbladder surgery 
(cholecystectomy), the surgeon removes the
gallbladder through a single, large incision in the
abdomen. You will need general anesthesia, and the surgery lasts 1 to 2 hours.
The surgeon will make the incision either under the border of the right rib
cage or in the middle of the upper part of the abdomen (between the belly
button and the end of the breastbone).
Doctors do most open gallbladder surgeries after trying first to remove the gallbladder with laparoscopic surgery. A few people have conditions that require open gallbladder surgery. For more information, see the Why It Is Done section below.
Enlarged Pancreas: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
An enlarged pancreas can occur for many reasons. The pancreas is a gland that sits behind your stomach in the upper abdomen and helps with digestion. It produces enzymes that are secreted into the small intestine, digesting protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar (glucose), your body's main source of energy.
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After surgery to remove the gallbladder, bile flows from the liver (where it is produced) through the common bile duct and into the small intestine. Because the gallbladder is gone, bile no longer is stored between meals. In most people, this has little or no effect on digestion.
What To Expect After Surgery
Surgery usually involves a hospital stay of 2 to 4 days or longer. Most people can return to their normal activities in 4 to 6 weeks. Open surgery involves more pain afterward and a longer recovery period than laparoscopic surgery.
This surgery leaves a moderately large scar [4 in. (10.2 cm) to 8 in. (20.3 cm) long].
No special diets or other precautions are needed after surgery.
Why It Is Done
Several conditions may lead to surgery to remove the gallbladder. Conditions that may require open rather than laparoscopic surgery include:
- Severe inflammation of the bile duct or gallbladder.
- Inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis).
- High pressure in blood vessels in the liver (portal hypertension). This is caused by cirrhosis of the liver.
- Being in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- A major bleeding disorder or use of medicines to prevent blood clotting (blood thinners or anticoagulants).
- Scar tissue from many previous abdominal surgeries.
- Abnormal anatomy in the abdomen.
In about 2 out of 10 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries in the United States, the surgeon needs to switch to an open surgical method that requires a larger incision.1 Examples of problems that can require open rather than laparoscopic surgery include unexpected inflammation, scar tissue, injury, or bleeding.
How Well It Works
Surgery reduces the risk that gallstones will come back. But gallstones sometimes form in the bile ducts years after cholecystectomy, although this is not common.
Risks
The possible complications of open gallbladder surgery include:
- Injury to the common bile duct.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Infection of the surgical wound.
- Injuries to the liver, intestines, or major abdominal blood vessels.
- Blood clots or pneumonia related to the longer recovery period after open surgery.
- Risks of general anesthesia.
After gallbladder surgery, some people have ongoing abdominal symptoms, such as pain, bloating, gas, or diarrhea (postcholecystectomy syndrome).
What To Think About
Open gallbladder surgery has been done safely for many years.
In most cases, laparoscopic surgery has replaced open surgery to remove the gallbladder. Recovery is much faster and less painful than after open surgery.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
