Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) can become necessary for many reasons:

Moderate to severe gallstones and inflammation of the bile duct can send someone to the hospital with intense pain. Inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis) , high pressure in the blood vessels near the liver (portal hypertension) and other conditions might make it necessary to see a surgeon about these conditions.

Gallbladder surgery can be done laparoscopically – with several small incisions in the abdomen – or, via open surgery with a single large incision in the abdomen.

Dr. Richard Nitzberg, board-certified surgeon with Summit Medical Group, has performed more than 2,000 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries.

He discusses all the “ins and outs” of laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries.