Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

In this method, a tiny incision is made just below the umbilicus, through which the laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen. The laparoscope is a thin, flexible scope with a camera at the end, which projects a magnified image of the area to be operated, onto a monitor. A surgeon skillfully guides the scope to the site and three tiny incisions are made at the upper right side of the abdomen to insert the minute surgical instruments necessary for the procedure.

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gall bladder, which is a pear-shaped organ lying on the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. The gallbladder plays an important role in digestion, by secreting bile into the digestive tract, which emulsifies (‘breaks down’) fats in the food. However, in certain cases, removal of the gallbladder may be necessary and while this does affect digestion of fats, it is not essential to sustaining life.