How are gallstones treated?
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:There are several possible options for treating gallstones. These include:
- Cholecystectomy: a surgical procedure where surgeons remove the gallbladder and restructure the biliary system so that bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. This procedure is usually performed laparoscopically, lowering the risk for patients and shortening their recovery time, compared with traditional, open surgery.
- Oral drug therapy – Drugs produced from bile acid may dissolve stones.
- Directly injected therapy – A solution may be injected directly into the gallbladder to dissolve the stones.
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy – A procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones into smaller pieces so they can pass through the bile ducts.
There are several possible options for treating gallstones. These include: Cholecystectomy: a surgical procedure where surgeons remove the gallbladder and restructure the biliary system so that bile flows directly from the liver into the small... More -
Dr. Audrey Chun of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Because there isn't a good medicine available to treat symptomatic gallstones (solid deposits of cholesterol or calcium salts within the gallbladder that form from the bile produced by your liver), surgical treatment is the best option if you're in good health (a low-fat diet can help alleviate the frequency or intensity of pain attacks, but it doesn't make the stones disappear). Surgery involves removal of the gallbladder as well as the stones and is performed laparoscopically ("keyhole" surgery) via small incisions in the abdomen. When surgery is done electively, it can be done as an outpatient procedure.Because there isn't a good medicine available to treat symptomatic gallstones (solid deposits of cholesterol or calcium salts within the gallbladder that form from the bile produced by your liver), surgical treatment is the best option if... More -
Dr. Michael Frist of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates answered:Most people with gall stones have NO symptoms. Gall stones which do not cause symptoms do not require treatments, in most cases.
A few of the more common complications of gall stones include typical gall stone pain (biliary colic), infection of the gall bladder (cholecystitis), gall stone pancreatitis, others rare conditions.
Once you have experienced a complication from gall stones, the primary treatment is surgical removal of your gall bladder.
Most people with gall stones have NO symptoms. Gall stones which do not cause symptoms do not require treatments, in most cases. A few of the more common complications of gall stones include typical gall stone pain (biliary colic),... More
