Bile duct surgeries

Known as cholecystectomy, surgery to remove the gallbladder is indicated when gallstones are identified after imaging or laboratory tests, such as urine, or when there are signs indicative of an inflamed gallbladder.

Bile duct surgeries can be done in 2 ways:

• Conventional (or cut) surgery: also known as open surgery, this is done through a larger cut in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. It usually takes a little longer to recover, and leaves a more visible scar;
• Surgery by laparoscopy (or by video): 4 holes are made in the abdomen, through which the doctor passes the material and a small camera to perform the surgery. It has faster recovery, less pain and less scarring.

Both surgeries are performed under general anesthesia and typically require only 1-2 days in the hospital. However, if the abdomen is very swollen, as happens in some complications from gall stones, it may take longer to recover.

The risks of bile duct surgery are minimal, however the most serious are bile duct damage, hemorrhage or infection that can occur in any surgical intervention.