About the Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked beneath the liver in the upper right abdomen. Its role is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down dietary fat. In many people, bile becomes concentrated over time and forms sludge or hardened deposits called gallstones. These stones can block the flow of bile, causing pain, inflammation, and potentially serious complications.
Cholecystectomy — surgical removal of the gallbladder — is the only reliably effective treatment for gallstone disease. It is one of the most commonly performed abdominal operations, and patients go on to live completely normal lives after the gallbladder is removed, as the liver continues to produce bile and the body adapts to its absence.
Recognizing Gallbladder Symptoms
Gallbladder problems produce a range of symptoms that can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions. If you experience any of the following, a physical exam and ultrasound with your doctor can help confirm whether the gallbladder is the source.
Diagnosis
Gallbladder disease is straightforward to diagnose when the right tests are performed. Dr. Pakula will review your symptoms and order the appropriate workup to confirm the diagnosis before recommending surgery.
The Procedure
Dr. Pakula performs cholecystectomy laparoscopically or robotically, depending on the patient's anatomy and clinical situation. Both approaches use small incisions rather than a large open cut, with a camera and specialized instruments inserted through ports to visualize and remove the gallbladder.
The robotic approach provides Dr. Pakula with three-dimensional visualization and enhanced instrument dexterity, which is particularly useful in cases where inflammation has distorted the normal anatomy around the bile duct. Careful identification of the bile duct before dividing any structures is the most critical step in the procedure and is a primary focus of Dr. Pakula's technique.
Most patients go home the same day or the following morning and return to light activity within a week. The liver continues to produce bile and drains directly into the small intestine, so digestion is not meaningfully affected after recovery.