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 surgeon Dr. Sharona Ross has extensive experience with surgery to treat gallbladder conditions. Surgery is the only treatment that can completely cure a gallbladder disease. Our surgical team uses 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. Ross is experienced in robotic-assisted procedures that can help patients heal faster. 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.
