Gallbladder surgery, also known as cholecystectomy,  is a procedure used to treat conditions that affect the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that  stores excess bile not immediately needed for digestion.

About 500,000 Americans have this surgery every year in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It is most often performed to remove gallstones that trigger symptoms and conditions such as pancreatitis.

Gallstones are formed from either cholesterol or bilirubin. The gallbladder may contain a few or many gallstones, which can range in size from microscopic to several inches in diameter. Gallstones may develop in people of any age, gender or ethnic background.

Recent research also indicates that excess abdominal fat increases the likelihood that women will require gallbladder surgery.

The surgery can be performed as either laparoscopy or traditional open surgery. In laparoscopy, surgery is performed using a thin tube that is attached to a camera and inserted into the body. Because this technique uses small incisions, it is not necessary to cut the abdominal muscles. This reduces scarring and the potential for post-surgical pain and complications.

In some cases, infection or other obstacles (such as severe inflammation of the gallbladder or scarring from other surgeries) may prevent use of laparoscopy and require that open surgery be performed. This is major surgery and will require an extended hospital stay and recovery period. About 5 percent of all gallbladder surgeries are performed using an open surgery technique, according to the NIDDK.