Surgery on the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, involves the removal of the organ with an open surgery or by laparoscopic surgery. The gallbladder is an organ located near the liver that secretes bile to aid in digesting fat. Gallstones or an infection of the gallbladder are the typical reasons to have the organ removed. According to the Mayo Clinic, although all surgeries carry risks of possible complications, a cholecystectomy is a commonly performed surgery that carries a low risk of complications. All complications of the surgery need to be brought to the attention of the surgeon.
Bleeding
According to the American College of Surgeons, bleeding is a rare occurrence after the removal of the gallbladder. Bleeding may occur from the area where the gallbladder was removed from the body. Signs of bleeding include a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.
Infection
An infection may occur following the surgery. Signs of a postoperative infection include a fever, chills and increased pain. The pain may occur around the incision site, in the abdomen or behind the breastbone. Redness, swelling or drainage around the incision sites also indicates a possible infection following a cholecystectomy.
Scar Formation
A scar from the incision sites will remain after surgery. If the surgery is an open procedure, a scar in the upper right side of the abdomen will occur. For a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, four small incisions will create scars. The scars will generally fade with time and not cause complications.
Pneumonia
After general anesthesia, individuals may develop pneumonia. Taking deep breaths and coughing after surgery helps reopen the lower section of the lungs, preventing the pneumonia from forming.
Blood Clots
When a person is in surgery, the body is still. The lack of movement in the legs allows blood clots to develop. According to the American College of Surgeons, the surgeons can order compression devices on the legs to help prevent any blood clots from forming during the operation. Walking during the recovery period also helps decrease the chance of developing blood clots.
Injury
During the operation, the surgeon may cause injury to surrounding areas. According to the Mayo Clinic, the liver, small intestine or the bile duct may receive accidental injury. The surgeon repairs the additional injuries before completing the surgery. Watching for signs of jaundice, yellowing of the skin or eyes and monitoring blood work helps to determine if any additional treatment is necessary to repair damage to the liver.
Death
According to the American College of Surgeons, death is a rare complication following a cholecystectomy, affecting less than 1 patient in every 1,000 surgeries. Most individuals die after surgery from a gallbladder that ruptures prior to the removal of the organ or when the individual has a complicated medical history. A ruptured gallbladder may cause a life-threatening infection in the abdominal cavity needing treatment with antibiotics. Medical conditions that increase the risk of postoperative blood clots also increase the chance of death after the surgery.
