The necessity for gallbladder removal, a surgical procedure known as cholecystectomy, arises when the organ becomes a source of significant medical complications. Gallstones, solid formations composed primarily of cholesterol or bilirubin, are the most frequent cause. These stones can obstruct the bile ducts, leading to a range of symptoms from intermittent abdominal pain to severe inflammation and infection. For example, a large gallstone lodged in the cystic duct can prevent bile from flowing, resulting in acute cholecystitis.
Removing the gallbladder offers definitive resolution of the underlying conditions that prompt the surgery. This intervention prevents recurrent episodes of biliary colic (severe abdominal pain), cholecystitis, and potential complications such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts). Historically, open surgery was the standard approach; however, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive technique, has become the preferred method due to its smaller incisions, reduced pain, and faster recovery time.