Learn about Cholecystostomy Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Cholecystostomy and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Cholecystostomy

Cholecystostomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a Surgical Gastroenterologist to drain the gallbladder when it is acutely inflamed or infected, typically due to gallstones or cholecystitis. It involves inserting a drainage tube (catheter) through the skin directly into the gallbladder under imaging guidance like ultrasound or CT scan. This procedure is often a temporary, life-saving measure for critically ill or high-risk patients who are not immediate candidates for definitive gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy). It helps relieve pressure, drain infected bile, and control sepsis, allowing the patient's condition to stabilize. Cholecystostomy is a crucial intervention in managing complicated gallbladder disease, providing a bridge to safer, elective surgery later.

Key Highlights

    Minimally invasive procedure with small incision.Provides rapid relief from gallbladder pressure and infection.Can be a life-saving intervention for critically ill patients.Performed under local anesthesia, reducing risks associated with general anesthesia.Serves as a bridge to definitive surgery (cholecystectomy) when the patient is stable.Typically guided by real-time imaging (ultrasound/CT) for precision./ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • Acute calculous or acalculous cholecystitis in a critically ill patient.
  • Empyema (pus-filled) or gangrenous gallbladder.
  • Patients with severe sepsis or organ failure from gallbladder infection.
  • High surgical risk patients (e.g., with severe heart, lung, or liver disease) who cannot undergo immediate cholecystectomy.
  • As a palliative procedure for inoperable gallbladder cancer causing obstruction.
  • Complications of gallstones like perforation or abscess formation.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive medical evaluation including blood tests and imaging (ultrasound/CT).
  • Review of patient's medications; may need to adjust blood thinners.
  • Informed consent process explaining the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
  • Fasting for several hours before the procedure as advised.
  • Administration of intravenous antibiotics to control infection.
  • Establishment of IV access for fluids and medications.

Risks & possible complications

  • Bleeding or hematoma at the puncture site.
  • Infection at the catheter site or within the abdomen.
  • Injury to nearby organs like the liver, intestines, or blood vessels.
  • Bile leakage into the abdomen (bile peritonitis).
  • Catheter dislodgement, blockage, or malfunction.
  • Reaction to contrast dye or local anesthetic.
  • Failure to adequately drain the gallbladder.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Initial monitoring in a recovery area for vital signs and pain control.
  • The drainage catheter remains in place for several days to weeks until infection resolves.
  • Instructions on caring for the catheter and drainage bag at home.
  • Prescription of pain medications and a course of antibiotics.
  • Follow-up appointments to monitor drainage and plan for eventual cholecystectomy.
  • Gradual return to normal activities, avoiding heavy lifting while the catheter is in place.
  • Dietary advice, often starting with clear liquids and advancing as tolerated.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks (with catheter), 4-6 weeks for full recovery post-definitive surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering cholecystostomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cholecystostomy compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 50 Thousand – 150 Thousand 3-7 days ~ 1-2 weeks (with catheter), 4-6 weeks for full recovery post-definitive surgery Know More
Turkey TRY 175 Thousand – 525 Thousand 3-7 days ~ 1-2 weeks (with catheter), 4-6 weeks for full recovery post-definitive surgery Know More

Top hospitals for Cholecystostomy in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated surgical gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing cholecystostomy.

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10171+ Rating

Miot Hospital Chennai

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon250 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

Emma Das, a 42-year-old high school...

Emma Das, a 42-year-old high school biology teacher and mother of two, had been managing her type 2 diabetes for a decade. Her life was upended by a sudden, severe attack of abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and gallstones, her condition was complicated by her diabetes and a high surgical risk due to poorly controlled blood sugar and a recent cardiac workup. Her surgical gastroenterologist, Dr. Chen, explained that emergency gallbladder removal was too dangerous. He recommended a cholecystostomy, a temporary drain placed through her skin into the gallbladder to relieve the infection and 'cool things down.' Terrified and in pain, Emma agreed. The image-guided procedure under local anesthesia was uncomfortable but quick. For six weeks, she managed the external drain bag, a constant physical and emotional reminder of her illness, while working with her doctors to optimize her health. After her condition stabilized, she successfully underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Her recovery was smooth. Emotionally, she journeyed from fear and frustration, feeling betrayed by her own body, to profound gratitude. The cholecystostomy was a humbling but life-saving 'pause button' that gave her a safe path to definitive cure.

Surgical Gastroenterologists for Cholecystostomy

Explore experienced surgical gastroenterologists who regularly perform cholecystostomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Surendran R
  • 35 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Hemanth Kumar K
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Alister Victor
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 750
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Rajasekar A
  • 33 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

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Dr. Shashidhara Gosikere Matta G
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

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Dr. Sanjeev Rohatgi
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

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Dr. Nagaraj Palankar
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Jasti BK Surendra
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

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Dr. Ramya
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

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Dr. Raghavendra N
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

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Dr. Maruthesh Chikkappa
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

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Dr. Sathish Kumar
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore

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Dr. Kasthuri T S
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore

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Dr. BS Ramakrishna
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil
Consult Charge ₹ 500

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai

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Dr. P Anbalagan
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil
Consult Charge ₹ 500

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai

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Dr. Vivekanandan Shanmugam
  • 29 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil
Consult Charge ₹ 500

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai

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Dr. Govind Nandakumar
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 980
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore

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Dr. SASI KANTH UDDAGIRI
  • 22 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada

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Dr. C. MANSOOR AHMED
  • 4 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad

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Dr. Adithya V Naragund
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Surgical Gastroenterologist
Speaks: English, Kannada, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Cytecare Hospital, Bangalore

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