A cholecystectomy is a surgery to remove the patient's gallbladder.

Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is one of the most common operations performed in adults. It is becoming much more frequent operation in children as well.

A physician may recommend a cholecystectomy for several conditions including:

• stones in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis)
• inflammation of the gallbladder due to stones (cholecystitis)
• ineffectiveness of the gallbladder (biliary dyskinesia)
• stones that have moved into the biliary system and are causing symptoms (gallstone pancreatitis)

Gallstones are very common in Hispanic, Native American and Caucasian populations. It is relatively uncommon in African-Americans. People with certain hematologic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, hereditary spherocytosis and thalassemia are at particular risk for developing gallstones.

Symptoms of Gallstones in Children

Common symptoms of gallstones in children and adolescents include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side or towards the middle
  • This pain may travel to the back or to the right shoulder
  • This pain may also be associated with nausea and vomiting
  • This pain may come on after eating a meal high in fat
• If a stone is blocking a duct, fever may develop or the eyes may turn yellow - in this case, seek immediate medical attention

Our Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

Patients with suspected gallstones will typically need an ultrasound. This test allows your child's provider to look at the liver and bile duct system to determine if there are stones in the gallbladder. Ultrasound exams are noninvasive and is not painful. If more information is needed, a gallbladder scan or MRI may be recommended.

Gallbladders are most often removed using minimally invasive surgery (MIS), also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, once the patient is under anesthesia, a surgeon typically makes four small incisions on the abdomen and inserts a high definition camera (called an endoscope) and thin instruments into the abdomen to remove the gallbladder.

A newer, cutting edge method of performing surgery called single-incision surgery is now being used to remove the gallbladder in select patients. In this approach, instead of four incisions, the surgeon makes one incision hidden in the belly button and removes the gallbladder in an otherwise similar way to the standard four-incision approach.

The operation itself lasts approximately one hour. Patients are given pain medication if they feel any discomfort, and most spend the night in the hospital and are released following breakfast the next morning. It is common to have pain or discomfort at the incision sites and/or behind the right shoulder (due to the gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery). Most patients feel much better after the first day and only require stronger pain medication the first one to two days following surgery.

Your child's surgeon will instruct you as to when your child may return to normal activities including physical education and sports. Your child will generally be seen in the surgeon’s office approximately two weeks following surgery. If you have any questions or concerns prior to this, please contact our office and the surgeon or our nurse practitioner or physician assistants will address your questions.

Resources for Families 

• Cholecystectomy Patient Information: From the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
• Patient and Family Support: Helpful resources for families, including how to prepare for your child's surgery