At Penn Medicine, our renowned surgical team includes hepatobiliary (liver, pancreas and bile duct) specialists with an exceptional level of skill in gallbladder surgery. Our surgeons routinely treat complex gallbladder issues many centers rarely see, offering exceptional expertise that doesn't exist elsewhere in the greater Philadelphia region.
What Is Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)?
A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located in the abdomen that stores and moves bile through bile ducts as part of the digestion process.
Doctors routinely perform this surgery to remove gallstones, a common problem that can cause recurring abdominal pain. It is also used for poor gallbladder motility (dyskinesia), a disorder that stops the gallbladder from working properly. Biliary dyskinesia causes similar symptoms (such as upper GI pain) to gallstones.
Gallbladder Surgery: Why Choose Penn Medicine?
Our gallbladder surgeons work closely with Penn's esteemed gastroenterologists and other doctors to provide precise, personalized care. We coordinate diagnostic tests and treatments to help you get the care you need as conveniently as possible.
Other features of our program include:
- Renowned surgeons: Our GI surgeons are recognized both regionally and nationally for their surgical skills and compassionate care approach. Fellowship training and decades of experience help us deliver outstanding outcomes with few complications.
- Referral center for complex cases: We treat a wide range of problems affecting the gallbladder and biliary tract, including problems not routinely seen at other centers in the region. Many physicians refer complex cases, such as bile duct obstructions and severe cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) to us for our team's expertise.
- Complicated surgeries: Treating a high volume of complicated cases means we're comfortable performing sophisticated procedures, and we get excellent results. We excel at treating complex bile duct injuries, a rare complication of gallbladder surgery that requires specialized skills to repair.
- Minimally invasive options: Our surgeons are experts in laparoscopic surgery techniques, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Minimally invasive surgery can provide excellent results with the potential of a faster or less painful recovery.
- Convenience and flexibility: Our GI surgeons perform gallbladder surgeries at three downtown Philadelphia hospitals and other locations throughout the region so you can get the care you need close to home. Telemedicine (virtual visits) makes it easier to schedule follow-up appointments when it's convenient for you. Learn more about our telemedicine services.
- Supportive care team: We guide you through the care process to prepare you for surgery and help you recover afterward. Our easy-to-use patient portal provides prompt answers to any questions that may come up before or after your procedure. You can also find helpful tips in our patient guide to GI surgery.
Conditions We Treat
We treat a full spectrum of benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions that affect the gallbladder and bile ducts, including:
- Biliary dyskinesia, a disease that affects how the digestive organs, such as the gallbladder, move fluids throughout the GI tract
- Bile duct injuries, which sometimes happen during surgery
- Bile duct obstructions (blockages), such as Mirizzi syndrome
- Cholecystitis, inflamed or irritated gallbladder
- Gallstone disease, such as choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile ducts)
- Cancer, early and advanced cases of gastrointestinal cancer, including bile duct cancer and gallbladder cancer
Cholecystectomy and Other Gallbladder Surgeries We Perform
We perform a high volume of gallbladder removal surgeries, including open (large incision) and laparoscopic (tiny incisions) cholecystectomies. We always choose the most appropriate procedure that matches your needs.
At Penn, our surgeons have access to a special type of X-ray called a cholangiogram. This technology gives a detailed, real-time view (similar to a movie) of the biliary tree (bile ducts and tubes) during surgery. This up-close view of tiny structures increases your chances of a better result — even for the most technical procedures.
We perform other specialized surgeries, which may or may not coincide with a gallbladder removal surgery:
- Bile duct exploration: This surgery checks for problems like gallstones in the bile ducts. A blockage can cause an infection or jaundice (when bile builds up in the liver).
- Bile duct reconstruction: This surgery repairs or reconstructs bile duct tissue that has been damaged, such as from disease or an injury from a previous surgery.
- Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy: During this procedure, surgeons use intricate techniques to connect the hepatic duct (bile duct in the liver) to the small intestine. This surgery allows for proper digestion when bile duct structures need to be removed.
- Cancer surgery: We perform a high volume of surgeries to remove difficult-to-treat tumors when other hospitals in the region can't. Learn more about gallbladder cancer surgery.
Request an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.