Gallstones and gallbladder surgery

Surgery is only required if the gallstone diseases is symptomatic. Gallstones that do not give any symptoms are removed surgically only in exceptional cases.

During the operation, the gallbladder is removed, because due to the poor function of the bladder, gallstones have formed.

The surgery is usually performed as keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic.

The patient usually recovers quickly following keyhole surgery. In the case of healthy young people, the procedure can be performed as out-patient surgery and the patient is normally allowed to go home in the evening of the day of the surgery or on the following day.

There is slight pain from the wounds. Nevertheless, during the operation, space to operate in the abdominal cavity is created by filling it with a suitable gas for the purpose, which can cause pain in the shoulder for two to three days. The pain can be treated with normal pain medication and exercise. Stitches that dissolve themselves do not need to be removed. The stitches dissolve about 10 days after the surgery.

Patients take about ten to fourteen days off work following keyhole surgery and about a month following open surgery. After keyhole surgery, the patient can return to normal activities as soon as their general condition allows. In order to avoid developing a hernia at a surgical wound, it is a good idea to avoid strenuous exertion while off work following open surgery