Is gallbladder polyp surgery a minor procedure?

Generally, whether gallbladder polyp surgery is considered a minor procedure depends on the surgical approach used. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery with relatively low complexity, while traditional open cholecystectomy involves greater trauma and is not considered a minor surgery. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed, the surgery is carried out through 3–4 small incisions in the abdomen, resulting in minimal trauma, less bleeding, and rapid postoperative recovery. Most patients can get out of bed within 1–2 days after surgery and are discharged around one week later. In terms of surgical scale and recovery, this is considered a relatively simple type of procedure.

However, if the polyp is too large, located in a complex area, or due to patient-specific health limitations, traditional open cholecystectomy may be required. This approach involves a longer abdominal incision, causes greater disruption to intra-abdominal tissues, results in more noticeable postoperative pain, and requires a longer recovery period—typically 2–3 weeks for gradual rehabilitation. Such procedures exceed the definition of minor surgery in both technical difficulty and extent of trauma.

After surgery, it is important to keep the incision site clean to prevent infection. Initially, a light liquid diet is recommended, gradually transitioning to a normal diet. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise but may engage in mild physical activity to promote recovery and reduce the risk of postoperative complications.