What is Cholecystectomy—Open Surgery?

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This surgery is used to remove a diseased or damaged gallbladder. The damage is typically caused by infection or inflammation. The damage is often due to gallstones , which are crystals of bile that can form in the gall bladder. Sometimes these get stuck in the ducts that bile normally flows through. This blockage in the ducts can damage the gallbladder and the liver.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a cholecystectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Gallstones that have accidentally spilled into the abdominal cavity
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Injury to other nearby structures or organs
• Reactions to general anesthesia
• Blood clots

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Age: 60 or older

• Pregnancy

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Malnutrition

• Recent or chronic illness

• Diabetes

• Heart or lung problems

• Bleeding disorders

• Alcoholism and use of street drugs

• Use of certain medicines

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital,...