From the Research
Approximately 1,194,786 cholecystectomies are performed annually in England, which is a significant portion of the UK, with the total number of gallbladder surgeries increasing by 80.4% from 2000 to 2019, as reported in the most recent study 1. This surgical procedure, which involves the removal of the gallbladder, is one of the most common operations performed by the National Health Service (NHS). The vast majority of these procedures are performed laparoscopically, commonly known as "keyhole surgery," rather than through traditional open surgery. Cholecystectomies are primarily performed to treat gallstones and their complications, such as biliary colic, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or cholangitis. Some key points to consider include:
- The high number of procedures reflects the prevalence of gallstone disease in the UK population, which affects approximately 15-20% of adults, though many remain asymptomatic, as mentioned in 2.
- The procedure has become increasingly standardized with shorter hospital stays, typically allowing patients to return home within 1-2 days after laparoscopic surgery, contributing to its widespread implementation across UK hospitals.
- More than 60,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies are performed annually in the UK, as stated in 3, with some studies suggesting that surgical care practitioners can safely perform elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies with proper training and supervision.
- The total number of gallbladder surgeries performed annually has increased significantly over the years, with a notable increase in the utilization of subtotal cholecystectomy and cholecystostomy, as reported in 1. It is essential to note that while the exact number of cholecystectomies performed annually in the UK may not be explicitly stated in the provided evidence, the most recent and highest-quality study 1 provides valuable insights into the trends and outcomes of gallbladder surgery in England, which can be extrapolated to the UK as a whole.