Gallbladder Surgery in Dhaka: Laparoscopic or Open, and How to Choose Safely

If you have been told you need gallbladder surgery in Dhaka, the decision that matters is not really "laparoscopic or open" — it is *who* operates, and whether they can do both safely. This guide explains the two routes in plain language, what recovery genuinely looks like, and the single question worth asking before you sign a consent form.

The short version

For most adults with symptomatic gallstones, laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy is the first-choice operation. It is done through four tiny incisions, takes under an hour in skilled hands, and most patients go home the same day or the next morning. Open surgery is reserved for specific situations — and a good surgeon should be able to do both, and convert safely if needed.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in plain language

• Four small cuts (5–12 mm) on the upper abdomen.
• The abdomen is gently inflated with CO₂ to create working space.
• A high-definition camera shows the surgeon what general surgeons used to dissect by feel.
• The gallbladder is freed, clipped at the cystic duct and artery, and removed through one of the ports.
• Most patients eat the same evening, walk the next morning, and return to office work in 4–7 days.

When open surgery is the right call

The honest answer is "rarely, but it still matters." Open surgery is preferred or required when:

• The patient has had previous major upper abdominal surgery with dense adhesions.
• There is a suspected gallbladder cancer that requires a formal radical cholecystectomy.
• The anatomy in the area of Calot's triangle is dangerously distorted by chronic inflammation — and the safer move is to open rather than risk a bile duct injury.
• There is a major bleeding event during the laparoscopic phase that cannot be controlled.

A surgeon who converts from laparoscopic to open mid-operation has not failed — they have made a safety decision. Patients should value the judgement, not the route.

The danger of bile duct injury

The single most important number in gallbladder surgery is the bile duct injury rate. A division of the common bile duct is a life-altering complication that often requires a major reconstructive operation (Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy) at a specialist HPB unit. The internationally accepted prevention is the "critical view of safety" — a structured dissection technique in which the surgeon proves they have identified the cystic duct and artery before clipping anything.

Ask your surgeon: "Do you use the critical view of safety?" If the answer is vague, find another surgeon.

Recovery: what to actually expect

• Day 0 — Sips of water, sitting up in bed.
• Day 1 — Soft diet, walking, home in most uncomplicated cases.
• Days 2–7 — Mild port-site soreness, especially under the right ribs. Paracetamol is usually enough.
• Week 2 — Office work, light driving. No heavy lifting.
• Week 4 — Full activity, including the gym.

Persistent right-upper pain, fever, or jaundice after discharge is not normal — call your surgeon immediately. It usually means a retained stone or a leak, both of which are treatable when caught early.

Cost and access in Dhaka

A standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a reputable Dhaka private hospital costs a fraction of what it would in Singapore or Bangkok, and outcomes are comparable in experienced hands. Open surgery is similarly priced but involves a longer hospital stay (3–5 days vs. 1).

For an exact quote, ask the chamber directly — the final figure depends on the hospital, whether the operation is straightforward or complicated, and how long you stay.

Where to see a gallbladder surgeon in Dhaka

Dr. Kazi Mazharul Islam is a Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic and Laparoscopic Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, with FCPS in both General Surgery and Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery. He consults at:

• Ibn Sina Diagnostic Centre, Room 706, North Badda, Pragati Sarani — Saturday to Wednesday, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Appointment 09610009614.
• Advanced Gastroliver Centre, Health & Hope Hospital, Room 402, Panthapath — Saturday to Thursday, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Appointment 01778897679 / 01870213648.
• Dhaka Medical College Hospital (OPD) — Saturday to Wednesday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

If you have been advised to have your gallbladder removed and are unsure about the route, a second opinion from an HPB surgeon costs you one consultation and can change your operation.

Book a consultation or contact the chamber nearest you.