Gallstone disease is a common indication for removal of the gallbladder (in order to prevent life threatening complications such as: pancreatitis, jaundice, cholangitis). The procedure, known as cholecystectomy, is performed by keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy entails three to four small incisions in the abdomen through which the surgical instruments are passed to retrieve the gallbladder. The laparoscope is a tube-like instrument that provides the surgeon with a fibreoptic light source and telescopic view of the gallbladder, vessels and other organs.