Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) in Oxford

Gallbladder problems, particularly gallstones, can cause recurrent pain, nausea, and disruption to daily life.

I provide specialist private gallbladder surgery in Oxford, with rapid access to assessment and treatment using minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques.

Most patients are seen within 1-2 weeks of enquiry, earlier assessment can often be arranged if you have acute gallbladder problems.

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What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile, which helps digest fats.

Gallstones can form within the gallbladder and may lead to:

Pain (biliary colic)
Inflammation (cholecystitis)
Infection or complications
Rarely, potentially life-threatening complications including pancreatitis and cholangitis

Symptoms of gallstones

Common symptoms include:

Pain in the upper abdomen (often after eating)
Pain that may radiate to the back or right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating or intolerance to fatty foods

Symptoms often occur in episodes and may become more frequent over time.

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Pre-operative assessment and investigation

Accurate diagnosis and careful pre-operative planning are essential.

Ultrasound Scan

Gallstones are usually diagnosed on ultrasound, which is the first-line investigation.

Ultrasound scans performed during previous hospital admissions or via your GP are usually acceptable, and can often be used to avoid unnecessary repeat testing
If required, I can arrange a repeat or updated scan

MRI Scan (MRCP)

In many cases, I will arrange a pre-operative MRI scan called an MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography).

This allows:

Detailed assessment of the bile ducts
Confirmation of normal biliary anatomy
Detection or exclusion of bile duct stones

This additional step helps ensure that surgery is planned safely and appropriately, reducing the risk of unexpected findings during the operation.

When should you consider surgery?

Surgery is usually advised if:

You have symptomatic gallstones
You have had repeated attacks of pain
There has been inflammation or infection
Symptoms are affecting your quality of life

Once gallstones are causing symptoms, they are likely to recur, and surgery offers a definitive solution.

But, it is important to be aware that the majority of people with gallstones suffer no symptoms from them, and removal of the gallbladder for asymptomatic gallstones is not recommended.

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Laparoscopic (keyhole) gallbladder removal

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is usually performed using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Benefits include:

Smaller incisions
Less post-operative pain
Faster recovery
Short hospital stay (often day-case or overnight)
Early return to normal activities

This is a routine and well-established procedure with excellent outcomes in appropriately selected patients.

Experience with acute gallbladder surgery

Some patients present with acute gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), which may require urgent or early surgery—often referred to as “hot” laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This type of surgery is typically more complex and carries higher risks than planned (elective) procedures due to:

Active inflammation
Distorted anatomy
Increased technical difficulty

In addition to my elective practice, I am a gallbladder surgeon and Clinical Lead at the Surgical Emergency Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, one of the busiest acute gallbladder services in the UK.