Cholecystectomy - Gall Bladder Removal Cost in India

The cost of gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) in India typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Cholecystectomy is an operation to remove the gallbladder, most often because of gallstones. It is usually done by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. The cost usually depends on:

• Approach: keyhole surgery or open surgery.
• Timing: planned surgery or emergency surgery for an acute attack.
• Tests: ultrasound and sometimes MRI of the bile ducts.
• Hospital stay: often same day or one night.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust explains that about 1 in 3 people develop gallstones, and about 1 in 5 of those go on to have problems. Removal may be advised for:

• Gallstone pain (biliary colic): repeated attacks of upper abdominal pain.
• Inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis): pain, fever and tenderness.
• Pancreatitis caused by gallstones: inflammation of the pancreas.
• Stones in the bile duct: which may cause jaundice.

People can live normally without a gallbladder. Bile flows directly from the liver into the gut.

The Hull leaflet reports that more than 9 in 10 operations are done by keyhole surgery, under general anaesthetic. The surgeon makes several small cuts, inflates the abdomen with gas and removes the gallbladder with fine instruments.

In some cases, the operation is changed to open surgery for safety. Most people go home the same day or the next morning.

The Hull leaflet suggests that many people need about 2 weeks off work and advises not flying for 48 hours. Shoulder-tip pain from the gas is common for a day or two.

Possible complications include:

• Conversion to open surgery: uncommon.
• Bile leak: uncommon.
• Bile duct injury: rare, but may need further surgery.
• Bleeding, infection and blood clots: as with any operation.