Gallbladder Surgery Specialist

What is the gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is a small, pouch-like organ that sits beneath your liver. It stores the bile that your liver produces and releases that bile into your small intestine to help your body break down fats.

Unlike many of your body’s organs, your gallbladder is not essential. If surgically removed, your liver will continue producing bile which can still perform its role in digestive function. That’s why gallbladder surgery is the most common treatment for gallbladder issues such as gallstones and cholecystitis.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones, also called cholelithiasis, form when digestive fluids harden into stone-like structures. They can range in size from as tiny as a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball. You might have only one gallstone or many.

The symptoms of gallstones include abdominal pain, pain in your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades, and nausea or vomiting. Researchers are uncertain of the exact cause of gallstones but believe the condition may arise when your gallbladder fails to empty properly or when your bile has too much cholesterol or bilirubin.

Left untreated, gallstones can cause inflammation, blockage of your pancreatic or common bile duct, or gallbladder cancer. The most common treatment for gallstones is surgery to remove your gallbladder.

What is cholecystitis?

Cholecystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the gallbladder. The most common cause is gallstones that block the tube that exits your gallbladder. Other causes include tumors, bile duct issues, and certain infections.

It’s important to seek treatment for gallbladder inflammation. Left untreated, the condition can lead to infection, tears in your gallbladder, or gangrene, which is the death of tissue.

There are conservative treatments that can help, but most men and women who suffer from cholecystitis eventually need to have their gallbladder removed to find lasting relief.

What is biliary dyskinesia?

Biliary dyskinesia is a condition in which your gallbladder cannot properly squeeze bile into your bile ducts. It’s often a symptom of another condition, such as pancreatitis, gallstones, or chronic inflammation.

What happens during gallbladder surgery?

Shane Dawson, MD, FACS, performs gallbladder surgeries laparoscopically, which requires a few very small incisions.

Dr. Dawson uses a laparoscope to view the surgical site on a screen. He uses a series of precise motions to remove your gallbladder. X-ray or ultrasound imaging can give him additional insight into the condition of your bile duct. Once he’s satisfied with the results, he closes the incisions, and you begin the recovery process.

To explore gallbladder surgery in greater detail, request a visit at the office of M. Shane Dawson, MD, FACS, online or by phone.