Iswanto Sucandy showing patient a something on a laptop while she's sitting on examination table.

Better Ways to Treat Gallbladder Symptoms

Pain and other symptoms related to an inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis) or gallstones are the main reasons why a patient may need gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy. Each year in the United States, about 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed, making it one of the most common surgeries. The gallbladder stores bile from the liver later used to aid in digestion. While the gallbladder is useful, the body can function fine without it. With it gone, patients are cured of their gallbladder disease.

AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa surgeons Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy and Dr. Sharona Ross have much experience with surgery to treat gallbladder conditions. Surgery is the only treatment that can completely cure a gallbladder disease. Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross use minimally invasive methods that help patients avoid complications and experience faster recoveries. Our surgeons even offer epidural gallbladder surgery so that patients have the option to avoid general anesthesia.

Surgical Treatment for Gallbladder Disease

Today’s surgeries for gallbladder disease are safe, effective (cure the condition) and almost always performed minimally invasively. Minimally invasive gallbladder surgery prevents the complications and lengthy recovery that could result from an open procedure. It also produces very good cosmetic results, and newer approaches make patients look as if they did not have surgery.

Some of these minimally invasive methods of cholecystectomy used at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa include:

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This procedure began to become widely available in the early 1990s. It involves several small incisions no larger than keyholes in the abdomen and belly button. Using special surgical instruments and a scope with a camera and light, the surgeon removes the gallbladder through this closed procedure.

Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site (LESS) “Scarless” Cholecystectomy

In general, LESS cholecystectomy is the same surgery as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the entire operation is performed through just one incision in the belly button. This approach results in a fast recovery and less pain, and because the incision is hidden by the belly button, there is no visible scar. The surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa helped pioneer this approach, which began to become more widely used in the late 2000s.

To view actual footage of this surgical procedure, please visit the PROCEDURE VIDEOS.

Robotic Cholecystectomy

Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross are accomplished robotic surgeons. In some situations, the patient and surgeon may prefer a gallbladder removal procedure that is assisted by the da Vinci® Surgical System. This approach may allow some patients to have minimally invasive surgery when they otherwise would not be able to. Just as with LESS surgery, a robotic cholecystectomy involves a single incision in the belly button.

To view actual footage of this surgical procedure, please visit the PROCEDURE VIDEOS.

LESS Cholecystectomy with Epidural Anesthesia

Because gallbladder removal is now so minimally invasive and routine, Dr. Rosemurgy and Dr. Ross offer the procedure without the need for general anesthesia. Instead, patients are given an epidural just like the one many women receive during the childbirth process. This makes it so patients do not have any feeling in their abdomen. However, they are fully awake during their procedures. This approach is a good option for patients unable to have general anesthesia or prefer to avoid the risks associated with it.

If you need a cholecystectomy and want to explore your least invasive treatment options, call AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa at 813-615-7557 for an appointment with one of our surgeons.

Pancreatic, Biliary and Gallbladder Disease

  • Pancreatic Cancer

    Our surgeons are among the region’s most experienced in pancreatic surgery. We can help treat your cancer with minimally invasive options. Learn more today.

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  • Pancreatic Conditions

    Gastroenterologists and surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa are experts for treating Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cyst and other conditions of the pancreas.

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  • Pancreatic Surgery

    AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa’s pancreas surgeons offer minimally invasive pancreatectomy for Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cysts and Pancreatic Cancer. Learn more.

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  • Gallbladder Cancer

    Removing the gallbladder with cancer is a very complex surgery that requires highly experienced surgeons like those at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa.

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  • Gallbladder Conditions

    Advanced surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa provide cholecystectomy and other treatments for gallbladder pain and gallstones.

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  • Gallbladder Surgery

    Surgeons at the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa provide advanced, scar-less cholecystectomy for gallbladder pain and gallstones.

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  • Bile Duct Diseases and Conditions

    AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons treat bile duct obstruction (blocked bile duct) and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

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  • Endoscopy for Pancreatic, Bile Duct and Gallbladder Conditions

    Gastroenterologists at AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa use ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound to diagnose and treat pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct diseases.

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Faster Recoveries. Better Outcomes.

Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery

All the surgeons at the Digestive Health Institute (DHI) at AdventHealth Tampa have a large depth of experience in offering minimally invasive surgery. 

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Meet The Experts

Dr. Alexander Rosemurgy

Alexander Rosemurgy

MD, FACS

Advanced Foregut & HPB Surgeon

Dr. Sharona Ross.

Sharona Ross

MD, FACS

Advanced Foregut & HPB Surgeon

Dr. Iswanto Sucandy

Iswanto Sucandy

MD, FACS

Advanced HPB Surgeon

Sandra Freeman

Sandra G. Freeman

ARNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Dana Manzi

Dana Manzi

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Betsy Prator

Betsy Prator

MSN, ARNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Meet Our Full Team
Dr. Cory O'Brien checking patient's throat at AdventHealth Digestive Health Institute Tampa.

Surgical Consultations For Digestive Cancer Without The Wait

Appointments Within 5 Days for Patients with Cancer

At AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa, we know that after being diagnosed with cancer, patients want and often need to begin treatment quickly. So we make it a priority to offer appointments for cancer surgery consultations within 5 business days, and often earlier. 

Patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer, or have just found out they have cancer recurrence, qualify for this priority access. Our surgeons will make themselves available to see you right away, even for a second opinion. We want to help you start your treatment as soon as possible.

If you have been diagnosed with a cancer of the digestive system, don’t wait. 
Call the Digestive Health Institute at 813-615-7557.

Learn More About Our Surgical Cancer Care Program

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In March, Iswanto Sucandy, MD, FACS, advanced HPB (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgeon at the AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa (DI), discussed robotic liver surgery at the 54th Annual Congress of the Korean Association of HPB Surgeons. Also known as “HPB Surgery Week 2021,” the conference...

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