CHI Health's video: What is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy means removal of the gallbladder. The most common reasons your doctor might recommend a cholecystectomy are biliary colic, cholecystitis, choledocolithiasis, or gallstone pancreatitis. Biliary colic, also known as symptomatic cholelithiasis, is caused by gallstones, which are hardened deposits of bile. Gallstones are common in the general population, and gallstones alone are not a reason for gallbladder removal if they do not cause symptoms. However, sometimes gallstones can get caught at the neck of the gallbladder, causing pain when the gallbladder contracts against them trying to release its bile, especially after a fatty meal. With biliary colic, the pain typically resolves within an hour or so. Occasionally, a stone or some other blockage may prevent the gallbladder from emptying over a long period of time, causing an increase in pressure and trapped fluid within the gallbladder. This can cause inflammation and infection of the gallbladder, which we call cholecystitis. Choledocholithiasis is when there are one or more stones in the bile ducts, which can cause back up of bile into the liver, and depending on the location of the stones, could cause pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. Other reasons for gallbladder removal, though less common, are gallbladder polyps and cancer. All of these are reasons for gallbladder removal.