Cholecystectomy

A cholecystectomy is the removal of the gall bladder. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure (without large incisions) to remove the gall bladder. Gall bladder removal is carried out in patients with painful gallstones, a perforated gallbladder, chronic recurring gall bladder inflammation, and gall bladder cancer. The Swiss Atlas of Healthcare contains analyses on the frequency of cholecystectomies in inpatient settings (open and laparoscopic surgery), as well as laparoscopic cholecystectomies in outpatient settings.