KTPH Hepato–Pancreato–Biliary Surgery Service (HPB)

This is a common surgical procedure that uses a keyhole camera, carbon dioxide insufflation to create working space in the abdomen, minimally invasive access ports, and laparoscopic instruments, to dissect and identify the critical anatomy of the gallbladder, before sealing the cystic duct and artery to with clips and removing the gallbladder.

When severe scarring, infection or variant anatomy prevents the visual safety checks for the dissection, the open surgical approach may be needed to safely proceed with removing the gallbladder.

If there is additional concern for migrated stones or the anatomy of the bile ducts, a special x-ray called an intraoperative cholangiogram may be used during the operation. At times If there are stones that have migrated into the bile ducts, your surgeon may advise that they be removed as part of the procedure, or with a separate endoscopic procedure (ERCP) arranged after the operation.