Gall Bladder Surgery

The gallbladder is a small pouch underneath the liver. It stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver which helps to break down fatty foods.

Gallstones are small, hard stones which can develop if the bile becomes concentrated. They can become trapped in a duct and cause abdominal pain, nausea and fever. Sometimes, as a result, removal of the gallbladder is necessary. The gallbladder is not an essential organ and the body can function well without it.

A gallbladder operation is usually done using “keyhole” surgery, which means the gallbladder is removed without the surgeon having to make a large cut to the abdomen. But sometimes open surgery is necessary.