Advanced Liver-Biliary Pancreatic & Surgical Clinic

GALLBLADDER surgery SINGAPORE

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What is Gallbladder Surgery?

Gallbladder surgery, medically known as a cholecystectomy, is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ located under your liver. The gallbladder’s main job is to store bile (a digestive fluid made by the liver) and release it into the small intestine to help digest fats.

When the gallbladder becomes diseased, usually due to gallstones or inflammation, it may need to be removed to prevent pain and complications.

What is gallstone?

A gallstone is a hardened deposit that forms inside the gallbladder — the small organ under your liver that stores bile (a fluid that helps digest fats). Bile is made of cholesterol, bile salts, and waste products. When the balance of these substances is off (for example, too much cholesterol or not enough bile salts), crystals can form and harden into stones.

Symptoms of gallstone

Not everyone with gallstones will feel symptoms. But when stones block the bile ducts, you may experience:

Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right or middle abdomen (called a “gallbladder attack”)
Pain that may spread to the back or right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Indigestion, bloating, or discomfort after fatty meals
In severe cases: fever, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)

Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but serious disease where abnormal cells grow in the tissues of the gallbladder — the small organ beneath the liver that stores bile (a digestive fluid).

Because the gallbladder is hidden under the liver, cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages. It’s usually discovered late, which makes it harder to treat.

Who is at risk of Gallstone?

Age & Gender

More common in people over 40 years old
Women are at higher risk (due to estrogen and pregnancy hormones)

Lifestyle & Diet

High-fat, high-cholesterol, or low-fiber diet
Rapid weight loss or fasting
Being overweight or obese

Medical Conditions

Diabetes Liver disease
Certain blood disorders (e.g., hemolytic anemia)
Digestive diseases that affect bile balance

Family & Ethnicity

Family history of gallstones

Other Risk Factors

Pregnancy (hormonal changes affect bile flow)
Long-term use of certain medications (like cholesterol-lowering drugs, hormone therapy, or birth control pills)

When is Surgery Needed?

Not all gallstones require surgery — some people have them without any symptoms (“silent gallstones”). But surgery (usually cholecystectomy, gallbladder removal) is needed if gallstones cause:

Repeated pain attacks (biliary colic) – sharp pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after fatty meals.
Complications such as:

Cholecystitis → gallbladder infection/inflammation (pain, fever, nausea).
Choledocholithiasis → gallstones blocking the bile duct, causing jaundice or infection.
Gallstone pancreatitis → when stones block the pancreatic duct, leading to life-threatening inflammation.
- Large gallstones (usually >2 cm) – higher risk of complications.
- Gallbladder polyps or suspicion of cancer.
- Weakened immune system (higher risk if infection develops).

Surgical Techniques for Gallstones

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Keyhole Surgery)

The most common method worldwide. Surgeons make 3–4 small cuts in the abdomen, insert a camera and instruments, and remove the gallbladder.
Benefits: smaller scars, less pain, faster recovery (most patients go home same day or next).

Open Cholecystectomy

A larger incision is made in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder.
Usually done if:
- Gallbladder is severely inflamed, scarred, or infected
- Recovery takes longer (hospital stay of several days, full recovery in 4–6 weeks).

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) (less common)

Uses only one incision (usually through the belly button) instead of multiple.
Better cosmetic result (almost scarless).
Technically more challenging and not available everywhere.

Robotic Cholecystectomy (in some hospitals)

A robotic system (e.g., da Vinci Surgical System) assists the surgeon with more precise movements.
Provides better visualization and control, especially for complex cases.

Adj A/Prof
Dr. Shridhar Iyer

Adj A/Prof Dr. Shridhar Iyer is a distinguished general surgeon with subspecialty expertise in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, liver transplantation, organ transplantation, surgical oncology, and general surgery. He is proficient in minimally invasive, robotic, and general HPB surgeries, and currently practices at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore. His illustrious career spans over 20 years, marked by innovation, leadership, and a commitment to advancing surgical care.

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Why Choose
Dr. Shridhar Iyer

Performed over 5,000 surgeries
Performed & assisted trained surgeons in more than 500 liver transplantation cases
Led a liver transplant in one of the earliest combined liver and kidney transplantation in Singapore
Led one of the earliest altruistic-directed as well as non-directed living donor surgery in Singapore
Led several quality improvement projects at the National University Hospital including reducing length of stay and efficient discharge processes
18 years in liver transplant, 20 years with Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic surgery