İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı
İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones and acute cholecystitis in Istanbul. Same-day discharge with minimal pain and rapid recovery.
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ on the undersurface of the liver that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is the most common gallbladder condition and one of the most frequent indications for general surgery worldwide, affecting approximately 10–15% of the adult population in Western countries.
Gallstones are classified by composition as cholesterol stones (~80%) — formed when bile is supersaturated with cholesterol — or pigment stones (~20%) — composed of bilirubin calcium salts, more common in patients with haemolytic anaemias or cirrhosis. Gallstones may remain asymptomatic for years or cause acute complications requiring urgent intervention.
📌 Key fact: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the safest and most commonly performed operations in general surgery. Same-day discharge is standard for uncomplicated cases, with return to normal activity within 1–2 weeks.
Severe constant right upper quadrant pain with fever and chills suggests acute cholecystitis or cholangitis — potentially life-threatening conditions requiring urgent evaluation and treatment.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy uses 3–4 small incisions (0.5–1 cm) to remove the gallbladder under laparoscopic visualization. The critical view of safety — clearly identifying the cystic duct and cystic artery before division — is the cornerstone of bile duct injury prevention. The gallbladder is extracted in a bag through the umbilical port.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia in 45–75 minutes. Patients are typically discharged the same day or after one night. Postoperative pain is mild; most patients return to sedentary work within 3–5 days and resume full physical activity within 2–3 weeks. Dietary restrictions are rarely required long-term.
Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar performs laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Liv Hospital Ulus, Beşiktaş, Istanbul. Same-day discharge is standard for uncomplicated elective cases. Emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is also available. International patients are seen in English, French, and Russian.
Contact Prof. Dr. Hakan Yanar for evaluation and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Istanbul.
