Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy in Nottingham Skip to main content

Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy in Nottingham

Minimally invasive surgery to remove your gallbladder in a Nottingham hospital

gallbladder surgery illustration of gallbladder

Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as a cholecystectomy, is a procedure to remove your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located under your liver that stores bile produced by your liver to help you digest food safely and properly.

This surgery is typically performed when your gallbladder develops gallstones, inflammation, or an infection, which can cause pain, nausea, or digestive issues.

There are two main types of cholecystectomies. A laparoscopic procedure, where small incisions are made across your stomach and a camera is used to guide the surgery, and open surgery, which involves a larger, more open incision.

Read our expert Q&A on gallbladder removal surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a more common option due to its minimally invasive nature, faster recovery time, and reduced risk of complications. During a laparoscopic operation, your consultant will make a few small incisions, usually around 0.5 to 1 cm in length, in your abdomen. They will then insert a small tube with a camera, called a laparoscope, inside the incision. This camera provides a live feed of your internal organs onto a monitor, allowing your consultant to see inside your body without making a large cut.

Life without a gallbladder

 
You can lead a normal, healthy life without a gallbladder. After your gallbladder is removed, your liver continues to produce bile (which helps with digesting fats), but instead of being stored in your gallbladder, the bile flows directly into your small intestine.  

Some people experience problems such as bloating or diarrhoea after having their gallbladder removed, although this usually improves within a few weeks and can be managed by avoiding certain foods. Over time, your digestive system will fully compensate for the absence of your gallbladder, and most people return to their regular routines without any significant issues following surgery, maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Gallbladder removal surgery is necessary when your gallbladder is affected by a health condition, most commonly gallstones. These are small ‘stones’ that form in your gallbladder and are usually made up of undissolved cholesterol. In many cases, gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. You might not even know you have them.

If a gallstone becomes trapped, it can cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms, with the most common symptom severe being abdominal pain. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, and gas. If this is the case for you, your consultant might recommend gallbladder removal surgery.

Our highly skilled consultant gastroenterologists use the advanced Da Vinci robotic surgical system to perform gallbladder removal surgery. This allows them to perform the surgery in the most minimally advanced way possible.  

After gallbladder removal surgery, you will have some limited mobility as you recover from being in surgery. With robotic surgery, the incision is very small and the risk of bleeding and complications is significantly reduced, so you can get back home and moving again much sooner.  

Being back at home and navigating life after a hospital stay is challenging enough without high levels of pain and discomfort. A less invasive surgery means that you will experience reduced pain and discomfort after surgery, so you can feel physically and emotionally at ease during your recovery period. 

Your doctor may recommend you follow a temporary low-fat diet to ease your digestive system after surgery. Most people can resume light activities within a few days after surgery but should avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks.  

After you recover you will be able to return to normal life without significant long-term issues, though you might experience mild digestive changes like diarrhoea for a while. This will improve over time.  

At The Park Hospital, Mr Brooks uses the da Vinci robotic surgical system to perform a variety of types of surgery, including gallbladder removal surgery. 

"The main benefits are vision, precision and dexterity. The surgical view is magnified 10 times, allowing us to see structures that are invisible even laparoscopically. The precise movements of the instruments and the enhanced magnification of the surgical view improve the safety of the operation, whilst the ability to deploy fluorescent imaging helps identify critical structures.

"I would always use the robot now to perform cases where I would previously have used laparoscopic surgery. And I am also able to undertake many more cases robotically (and therefore minimally invasively) that I would not previously have been able to do laparoscopically." Mr Adam Brooks, consultant general surgeon

The da Vinci surgical system is a market-leading piece of surgical equipment designed to help your consultant perform your prostatectomy with maximum precision and accuracy. The robot is made up of a series of mechanical arms, which are directly connected to a console controlled by your consultant. The robot arms move in sync with your consultant’s hand movements in real time, mimicking your consultant as they perform the surgery.

Your consultant can see the inside of your body and see their hand movements carried out in real time through a high-definition, 3D real image provided by the technology. They can use the da Vinci robotic system to make smaller and more accurate movements than possible with their own hands, which is perfect for the ultimate accuracy and precision when performing intricate surgery like gallbladder removal surgery. It is important to know that your surgery is not performed by a robot.

Your consultant is always in control of the procedure and the outcome, using the console to guide the robot and make minute, precise movements with the robotic arms.

A robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy starts from £8,699.

Paying for your treatment directly with self-pay

At The Park Hospital in Nottingham, you can pay for your own care directly, or you can use your private medical insurance.

We help you pay directly in a way that feels stress-free and convenient for you through our fixed-price packages. Our packages include the cost of your surgery and all necessary aftercare appointments.

Any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee will be charged separately. Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR.

There are many benefits of robotic-assisted surgery, some of which we have highlighted above. These include: Increased precision and accuracy Fast recovery times Less pain and discomfort Access to the latest technology with the best medical minds H3: A faster recovery and swifter return to the life you love As mentioned above, the improved range of motion with robotics allows your consultant to perform surgery using a minimally invasive technique, which leads to a faster recovery and less pain after surgery. This is because less damage is made to the tissue and nerves surrounding the incisions, helping control your comfort levels during your recovery period.

A speedier recovery means you can return the comfort of home sooner and get back doing the parts of your everyday life that make you feel like you. This includes:

  • Work
  • Driving
  • Sport and exercise
  • Daily chores and everyday tasks
  • Sex

Consultant opinion


Mr Adam Brooks, consultant general surgeon at The Park Hospital, made these comments on the main benefit of robotic gallbladder removal surgery, or robotic cholecystectomy.

"The precise movements of the instruments and the enhanced magnification of the surgical view improve the safety of the operation, whilst the ability to deploy fluorescent imaging helps identify critical structures. "I would always use the robot now to perform cases where I would previously have used laparoscopic surgery. And I am also able to undertake many more cases robotically (and therefore minimally invasively) that I would not previously have been able to do laparoscopically.

"The technique to remove a gallbladder using the da Vinci is a very similar operation to laparoscopic surgery, however the robot gives us the ability to complete the procedure in a more controlled environment, with better vision, dexterity and precision."

When you choose to go private with The Park Hospital, you can expect:

  • Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
  • The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
  • Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
  • Private en-suite rooms as standard
  • Tasty and nutritious meals cooked onsite to your dietary requirements
  • Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
  • Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
  • Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care

If you want to know more about this procedure and find out if it's the right treatment for you, book your appointment online today.

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