Gallstones Treatment – Removal, Surgery, Lithotripsy, Medication

Gallstones Treatment Options

Asymptomatic gallstones (silent gallstones) do not need to be treated. In majority of the cases, these gallstones will not cause any symptoms. Gallstone disease (symptomatic gallstones) requires treatment and these days surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy, is frequently conducted.

However, if surgical methods are not an option, then medication to dissolve the stones may be considered. Some gallstones can be fragmented by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) which is similar to the method used to ‘blast’ kidney stones. However, lithotripsy is not often considered these days for a number of reasons discussed below.

Gallstones Removal Surgery

Cholecystectomy

A cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder and is considered if there are frequent gallstone attacks or recurrent gallstones. The procedure of both open and laprascopic cholecystecomy is discussed further under Gallbladder Removal Surgery.

Laproscopic cholecystectomy is preferable as there is minimal scarring, quick recovery (1 to 2 day hospital stay) and a lower risk of complications. However, open surgery may be necessary if there is gallbladder perforation, infection, or scarring.

Cholecystotomy

A cholecystectomy may be preceded by a cholecystotomy which is the drainage of the gallbladder in the case of an empyema. This allows for the pus to be drained out of the gallbladder and for the infection to settle before a cholecystectomy is conducted.

Bile Duct Stone Removal

Although the gallbladder is removed, the bile ducts remain so that bile from the liver can empty straight into the duodenum. If there is a stone in the common bile duct, an ERCP with sphincterotomy is often necessary and may not require a cholecystectomy. However, a cholecystectomy is usually considered as there is a significant degree of recurrence within 5 years if the gallbladder is not removed.

The discovery of stones in the bile duct, during or prior to a cholecystectomy may prompt intraoperative extraction. If ERCP and laprascopy surgical options are unavailable, then an open common bile duct exploration may be considered. This is known as a choledocholithotomy and may also be considered if there is a large stone in the common bile duct.

Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy is the fragmentation of a gallstone, within the gallbladder or bile duct, by the use of sound shock waves. This procedure is similar to a kidney stone ESWL where the sound energy is applied from the exterior although an endoscopic lithotripsy is possible but rarely ever done for gallstones. It is usually considered for a single large stone but most symptoms of gallstones and complications arise from small stones.

The stone fragments will still have to be removed (surgically or with dissolution medication) after lithotripsy and a cholecystectomy is still advisable so lithotripsy is not usually considered. The procedure is expensive and the facilities for this procedure may not always be available. No comparitive clinical trials favor a lithotripsy over other removal methods. However a lithotripsy with dissolution therapy may be considered if other procedures are contraindicated.

Gallstone Medication

Drugs such chenodeoxycholic acid (chenodiol) or ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol) are oral bile acids that reduce cholesterol saturation. This type of medication has a low rate of dissolution and are most effective for small cholesterol stones. However, treatment with these drugs may need to be continued for prolonged periods of time and there is always the risk that the shrinking stones may result in complications.

Related Articles

1. Types of Gallstones – Cholesterol, Pigment, Mixed
2. Gallstones Causes and Risks for Cholesterol & Pigment Stones
3. Symptoms of Gallstones – Signs of Gallstone Pain, Attacks
4. Gallbladder Sludge (Biliary) – Causes, Symptoms, Flush, Treatment
5. Gallstones Diet – Foods to Avoid for Gallstone Prevention
6. Gallbladder Removal Surgery – Cholecystectomy

Article reviewed by Dr. Greg. Last updated on August 10, 2010