What is Robotic Gallbladder Surgery?
The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile, which helps your body digest fats. Gallstones can form inside the gallbladder and, while they do not always cause symptoms, they can sometimes lead to episodes of severe abdominal pain, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), jaundice or pancreatitis.
When gallstones are causing persistent symptoms or complications, surgery may be recommended to remove the gallbladder. This operation is called a cholecystectomy or lap chole. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, so your liver continues to produce bile and you can live normally without it.
A robotic cholecystectomy is a form of keyhole gallbladder removal performed through small incisions in the abdomen. Your surgeon uses a camera and robotic-assisted instruments to carefully separate the gallbladder from the liver and surrounding structures before removing it.
Why choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for your robotic gallbladder surgery?
Choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for specialist surgical expertise, advanced robotic technology and personalised gallbladder treatment in St John’s Wood, London.
- Specialist consultant surgeons: Your treatment is led by an experienced surgeon who will assess your gallbladder condition and recommend the most appropriate approach.
- Advanced robotic technology: The da Vinci Xi provides magnified 3D visualisation and precise instrument control when operating around the gallbladder and bile ducts.
- Minimally invasive surgery: Robotic cholecystectomy is performed through small abdominal incisions, avoiding the larger incision required for open gallbladder surgery where possible.
- Care tailored to you: Your consultant will review your symptoms and investigations to determine whether robotic gallbladder surgery is suitable for you.
- Private hospital care in London: Receive specialist care throughout your treatment and recovery at our independent hospital in St John’s Wood.
- Supporting St John’s Hospice: As a charitable hospital, any surplus we make is used to support our on-site hospice, which provides free palliative care to thousands of patients and their families each year.
Consultants offering robotic gallbladder surgery in London
Robotic Cholecystectomy at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, robotic gallbladder removal surgery is performed by specialist consultant surgeons using a minimally invasive approach. Your consultant will assess your symptoms, investigations and general health before advising whether a lap chole is appropriate.
During the operation, the gallbladder and the stones within it are removed. Your surgeon carefully identifies the structures connecting the gallbladder, including the cystic duct and its blood supply, before safely separating the gallbladder from the liver.
Although robotic surgery for gallbladder removal can usually be completed through small incisions, occasionally it may be necessary to convert to open surgery. Your consultant will explain the planned procedure, potential risks and what you can expect from your recovery beforehand.
Robotically-assisted cholecystectomy using the da Vinci Xi surgical system
The da Vinci Xi gives your surgeon a highly magnified 3D view of the gallbladder and surrounding anatomy. The system’s wristed instruments are controlled directly by your surgeon and provide precise movement when dissecting the gallbladder and working around the bile ducts and nearby structures.
Enhanced visualisation can be particularly valuable when identifying the anatomy around the gallbladder before structures are divided. The da Vinci platform can also support fluorescence imaging, where appropriate, to help your surgeon visualise the biliary anatomy during the procedure.
A robotically-assisted cholecystectomy retains the minimally invasive nature of keyhole gallbladder surgery. This means smaller incisions than open surgery and may result in less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery, although individual outcomes vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about robotic gallbladder surgery
Gallbladder removal is most commonly recommended when gallstones are causing symptoms or complications. These can include recurring abdominal pain (biliary colic), inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, pancreatitis or problems caused by stones moving into the bile duct.
Your consultant will review your symptoms and test results before recommending surgery.
The operation is performed under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon makes several small incisions in your abdomen and inserts a camera and robotic surgical instruments.
The gallbladder is carefully separated from its duct, blood supply and the liver before being removed, together with the gallstones inside it.
Both robotic and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy are minimally invasive keyhole procedures. With conventional laparoscopy, your surgeon directly operates long surgical instruments while viewing images from a camera on a screen.
With robotic surgery, your surgeon controls articulated instruments from a console and operates using a magnified 3D view. The robot does not perform the operation independently.
The da Vinci Xi provides your surgeon with detailed 3D visualisation and highly manoeuvrable instruments when operating around the gallbladder and nearby structures.
Because robotic cholecystectomy uses a minimally invasive approach, it also offers the established advantages of keyhole surgery compared with open surgery, such as smaller incisions and typically a quicker recovery.
Yes. Your gallbladder stores bile but is not essential for digestion. After it has been removed, bile produced by your liver flows directly into your digestive system.
Most people can return to a normal diet following recovery, although some experience temporary digestive changes and may initially find certain foods easier to tolerate than others.
Many people having minimally invasive gallbladder surgery can leave hospital on the same day or following a short stay, depending on their recovery and individual circumstances.
Your clinical team will make sure you are recovering appropriately before you are discharged and will provide instructions for looking after yourself at home.
Recovery varies between individuals, although keyhole gallbladder surgery generally has a shorter recovery period than open surgery. You may feel tired and experience some abdominal discomfort during the first few days.
Your clinical team will advise you about returning to work, exercise, driving and lifting based on your recovery and the type of work you do.
Most people do not need to follow a special diet permanently after gallbladder removal. However, you may find it more comfortable to eat lighter meals and limit rich or fatty foods while your digestive system adjusts.
Your clinical team will give you dietary advice following surgery if required.
As with any operation, possible complications include bleeding, infection and blood clots. Risks specific to gallbladder removal include bile leakage, retained stones and injury to the bile duct or other nearby structures.
There is also a possibility that minimally invasive surgery may need to be converted to an open operation. Your consultant will discuss your individual risks before surgery.
No. Your surgeon will consider your symptoms, medical history, previous abdominal surgery and the condition of your gallbladder when deciding which surgical approach is most appropriate.
If robotic surgery is not suitable, your consultant will discuss other options with you.