Latest Approach to Treating   Gallstones are hardened deposits,
usually composed of cholesterol, that can form in your
gallbladder. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand or
as large as a golf ball. Many people have tiny gallstones that
do not affect them at all. However, if the stones become large,
they can block the bile duct, a tube between the liver and
gallbladder. This can cause intense pain and can lead to
further, more serious problems, such as infection of the
gallbladder and pancreatitis. When gallstones become
symptomatic, they require treatment  consult buttonYour doctor
may recommend a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal
of the gallbladder. Most gallbladder surgeries are performed as
laparoscopic procedures. This minimally invasive technique
allows for smaller incisions and a shorter hospital stay than
traditional surgery.  Boulder Community Hospital offers two
advanced approaches to treating gallbladder disease:  1) robot-
assisted cholecystectomy with the da Vinci® Surgical S