There are two types of cholecystectomy: laparoscopic or conventional (or open) cholecystectomy.

In a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, three to four incisions are made in the abdomen, each approximately 1/2" in length.  One incision is made around the navel and the other three are areas around the abdomen.  In this procedure, the physician uses a laparoscope, a thin, rigid viewing tube to navigate through the organs and assist in removing the gallbladder.  The laparoscope is inserted into the incision by the navel.  Images taken by the scope are reflected on two TV monitors in the operating room.  The other three incision are used to insert other instruments, which grasp, clamp and cut free the gallbladder from its attachments.  The gallbladder is cut away using either a laser or electrocautery device; both of which use localized heat to minimize bleeding.  Once the gallbladder has been cut free, it is drained of bile, collapsed and removed through the navel incision.  Patients are usually home by the next day and back to normal activities within a week.

Complications resulting from this type of procedure are very rare.  They include bleeding, infection, bile duct damage, intestinal damage and blood vessel damage.

Also known as an "open" cholecystectomy, this procedure is usually done when complications arise during a laparoscopic procedure or if the patient has had previous gallbladder surgery or bleeds a lot.  In this procedure, the surgeon makes one incision 4-8" in length.  The incision is either made vertically or at a slant under the right ribs.  The appendix may also be removed during this procedure to prevent the possibility of having an appendectomy later in life.  This procedure is much more involved.  The size of the incision requires that stomach muscles be cut; therefore, the hospital stay and recovery period is much greater for the conventional procedure (typically 5 days in the hospital and 4-8 weeks of recovery at home), depending on the severity of the surgery.