Gallstone Symptoms: When Surgery Is Needed

Topic Overview

Several conditions or situations may require surgery to remove the gallbladder. Surgery usually is needed when:

• Your gallbladder suddenly becomes inflamed or infected (cholecystitis).
• Gallstones cause repeated attacks of pain.
• You have growths called polyps in the gallbladder, usually larger than 1 cm (0.4 in.), that are causing symptoms.
• Gallstones cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• A non-functioning gallbladder is causing symptoms.
• The gallbladder wall has calcified (porcelain gallbladder).
• You have gallstones and an impaired immune system.