Open Gallbladder Surgery for Gallstones
Why It Is Done
Several Reference conditions may lead to surgery to remove the gallbladder. Conditions that may require open rather than laparoscopic surgery include:
- Severe inflammation of the bile duct or gallbladder.
- Inflammation of the abdominal lining (Reference peritonitis Opens New Window).
- High pressure in blood vessels in the liver (Reference portal hypertension Opens New Window). This is caused by Reference cirrhosis Opens New Window of the liver.
- Being in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- A major bleeding disorder or use of medicines to prevent blood clotting (blood thinners or anticoagulants).
- Scar tissue from many previous abdominal surgeries.
- Abnormal anatomy in the abdomen.
In 5 to 10 out of 100 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries in the United States, the surgeon needs to switch to an open surgical method that requires a larger incision.Reference 1 Examples of problems that can require open rather than laparoscopic surgery include unexpected inflammation, scar tissue, injury, or bleeding.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 15, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology |
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