Cholecystectomy 

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes gallstones to form?

• The reasons for the formation gallstones are unclear, however, medical professionals theorize that they are a result of:
• Excessive amount of cholesterol produced by the liver that cannot be dissolved by the bile stored in the gallbladder
• Excessive amounts of bilirubin, a chemical that’s produced as your body breaks down red blood cells.
• Conditions such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders cause your liver to make too much bilirubin. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.
• If your gallbladder doesn’t empty completely or regularly enough, causing bile to become concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones

Why is a cholecystectomy necessary?

A cholecystectomy is required to treat various conditions related to the gallbladder, such as:

• Symptomatic gallstones
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Bile duct obstruction due to gallstones