Gallbladder surgery

• Pain in the right lower back.

• Prickling, tension, feeling of fullness in the abdomen.

• Vomiting, hiccups, burping.

• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes.

Most cases are asymptomatic, which means that the patient is unaware of the presence of gallstones, which cause no discomfort and are often discovered by accident during other abdominal examinations. The dyspeptic form is manifested by digestive problems such as abdominal and epigastric pain, a feeling of fullness, flatulence, lack of appetite, belching, irregular stools or diarrhoea. The typical manifestation of gallstones is a gallbladder or colic attack, characterised by sudden pain in the right lower or upper abdomen, passing to the back and under the shoulder blade, and often accompanied by nausea or vomiting that brings no relief.

There is an increased incidence in women over 40 years of age, after childbirth and in obese people.

Gallstones can be caused by increased saturation of bile with cholesterol, excessive food intake, or the presence of infection and inflammation. Use of steroids, contraceptives and excessive consumption of dietary fats and proteins can also increase the risk of gallstones. However, inadequate fat intake, irregular eating, and fasting can also promote their formation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed using endoscopic laparoscopic optics and special instruments. The duration of the procedure varies between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on complexity. During the operation, the surgeon first frees the gallbladder from adhesions and reveals the bile ducts. He/she then cuts off the blood supply to the gallbladder and its outlet into the bile duct using special titanium clamps, and releases the gallbladder and gallstones from the liver bed and removes them from the abdominal cavity. At the end of the operation, a thin plastic drain is inserted into the abdominal cavity to drain away any remaining body fluids and secretions, including blood.

1. Consultation with a Surgeon
Your first step is a consultation with one of our specialists. The doctor will assess your health condition, explain the procedure in detail, and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.

2. Pre-Operative Preparation
Before the procedure, you will undergo the necessary examinations and receive clear instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

3. Day of Surgery
You will arrive at the clinic at a pre-arranged time. After the necessary preparation, the surgical procedure itself will take place.

4. Short Post-Operative Monitoring
Following the procedure, you will remain for a short period in the recovery room under the supervision of our medical staff.

5. Return Home
In most cases, patients are able to return home on the same day. Recovery then continues in the comfort of the home environment.

Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.

After laparoscopy, the patient is placed in the recovery unit for monitoring. They can usually get out of bed by the evening (or about 3 hours after the procedure) and start drinking fluids. Light foods can be eaten after bowel function has recovered, usually on the second postoperative day depending on how the surgery went.

Incapacity for work usually lasts two to four weeks, depending on the difficulty of the patient’s occupation. The patient should take it easy and avoid physically demanding activities and lifting heavy objects for at least three months.

Pain in the surgical wound(s) should gradually subside within 48 hours. Significant and persistent pain is a sign of complications and should be discussed with the attending physician.

Vomiting sometimes occurs after general anaesthesia, but usually ceases within 6-12 hours after the procedure.

On the third day after laparoscopy, the surgical wound can be briefly showered without soap and gently dried. After the surgical wound has healed completely, a normal bath is possible. Stitches are usually removed on the seventh to tenth day.

Once bowel function is restored after the procedure, a strict gallbladder diet is recommended for about three weeks.

Preoperative preparation includes internal preoperative examinations, blood and urine lab tests, and other examinations as necessary. It also includes a summary of previous illnesses, a list of medications being taken, allergies, and an assessment of the risks associated with general anaesthesia.

The patient usually comes in for the planned procedure on the day of the surgery to keep the hospital stay as short as possible. From midnight the night before the operation, the patient must not eat or drink and must avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. If medication is required, the attending physician must be consulted.

Jewellery, contact lenses and dentures must be removed before the procedure. No make-up or nail polish may be worn.

• A deposit of CZK 2,000 may be required to secure a confirmed appointment.

• Postponement of an appointment for medical reasons within six months: first postponement free of charge; second and subsequent postponements CZK 2,000 each.

• Cancellation more than 5 working days in advance: CZK 2,000.

• Cancellation 5 working days or less in advance:

  • Gallbladder procedure: CZK 8,000