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Cholecytitis is inflammation of the gallbladder.  The function of the gallbladder is to store and excrete bile, however if the gallbladder is inflamed then bile cannot travel out of the gallbladder.  Cholecytitis can be caused by numerous pathologies such as infection or trauma. Most often the occurrence is caused by the cystic duct being blocked by a gallstone which in turn causes the gallbladder to become irritated and swollen.  The major signs of cholecytitis are pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and increasing pain after taking in deep breaths.  To diagnose cholecysitits your doctor will first perform a physical exam to check for tenderness.  He or she may ask for blood to be drawn to run for tests.  Otherwise a CT scan or ultrasound will be performed to check for gallstones or buildup of fluid.  The size and shape of the gallbladder is another important factor in diagnosing cholecystitis.

The main procedure for cholecystits is a cholecystectomy, the removal of the gallbladder by surgery.  Sometimes the physician may need to reduce the swelling of the gallbladder before attempting to remove it.  To perform a Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a small camera is inserted through one of three to four incisions in the abdomen.  The doctor will use air or carbon dioxide to inflate the patient’s stomach in order to have a clear view of the surgical instruments and the gallbladder and have a clean removal through one of the incisions.  Post-surgery, the liver will produce bile and transport it to the small intestine through the common bile duct it just won’t be stored in the gallbladder.  On average it will only take one week to fully recover from a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy surgery.