Specialists in keyhole gallbladder surgery
At WKS Surgery, we are specialists in keyhole gallbladder surgery, and have performed a great many of these operations over the last 15 years. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder) is a low risk procedure, but there is a small 3-5% chance that an open operation is needed. This type of surgery is usually straightforward with an excellent recovery expected.
Gallstones are pebble-like formations made of salts that can develop in your gallbladder. While they are common, only a small percentage of people - around 1-2% - experience symptoms from these gallstones, which can include pain, vomiting, fever, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).
If gallstones are affecting your quality of life, don't hesitate to get in touch. Our experienced team is here to look after you, and a simple operation will get you back to enjoying life without the burden of gallstone-related discomfort.
Contact us today for a consultation.
Newtown, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hawkes Bay, Napier, Taupo, Tauranga, Waikato, Auckland, Northland, Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, Southland, New Zealand
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Page: Gallbladder Removal Surgery Wellington, New Zealand - Last updated: 22nd January, 2026
- Caring team of professionals who can answer all your questions
- Low risk procedure that can mostly be done by keyhole surgery
- Recovery following surgery is usually fast, getting you back to an active life sooner
- Self referral or a GP or specialist can refer you
WKS Surgery is located at Wakefield Hospital in Newtown, Wellington.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are salts that form pebble like stones in your gallbladder. Gallstones are a common problem, and a number of people in the general population will have gallstones in their gallbladder, but only 1 – 2% of them will have symptoms from their gallstones. Gallstones can cause irritation the gallbladder resulting in pain, vomiting, fever and jaundice (yellowness in your skin). Most people that suffer gallbladder related problems benefit from sugery to remove of their gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Nowadays, gallbladder surgery is usually performed by a keyhole operation (laparoscopic) and recovery following surgery is rapid.
Epidemiology of gallstones and types of gallstones
Gallstones are very common, but often asymptomatic. The incidence of gallstones:
- 8% of population >40 yrs
- 20% of population >60 yrs
- 24% females
- 12% males
There are various types of gallstones; they are classified dependent on their constituency and may be calcified:
- cholesterol or mixed stones (90%)
- cholesterol stones – more than 50% cholesterol
- mixed stones – 20 – 50% cholesterol
- pigment(bilirubin) stones (10%) – less than 20% cholesterol.
Gallstones in history
Gallstones can be traced back to 21st Egyptian dynasty. They were discovered in the mummy of a Priestess of Arnan (1000 BC). The first clinical description of gallstones was by Gordon Taylor 4th century BC – symptoms in Alexander the Great. Historically, surgeons have been closely involved in management of gallstone disease. Emil Kocher, a Swiss surgeon, performed drainage of gallbladder for empyema 1878, and was awarded the Nobel prize. Carl Langenbuch, a German surgeon, was first to perform a open cholecystectomy late 1800s. The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 1985 by Muhe in Germany.
Pathogenesis of gallstones
Bile consists of bile salts (deoxycholate etc), bilirubin, cholesterol, metal ions, phospholipids and mucin. Gallstones form due to a failure to maintain a solubilized state of bilirubin and cholesterol and this imbalance in bile constituents leads to precipitation of crystals. Cholesterol stones form due to an imbalance in the concentration of cholesterol, bile salts and lecithin (phospholipid). Pigment stones form due to an over production of bilirubin.
Management of asymptomatic gallstones
If asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, gallstones should be observed. There is no evidence that prophylactic cholecystectomy is beneficial. If the gallbladder is calcified(porcelain), cholecystectomy is indicated as there is a risk of gallbladder malignancy.