Asymptotic gallstones or Silent gallstones i.e. gallstones which cause no symptoms do not require any treatment. Symptomatic gallstones are usually treated surgically but there are a few non-surgical options as well.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatments for treating gallstones are used only in some special cases. They can be opted for when the patient has some serious medical problem due to which a surgery cannot be performed. Non-surgical treatments can be used only for cholesterol stones. There is a serious drawback with non-surgical treatments. There is a greater possibility that gallstones re-occur after non-surgical treatment. Given below are a few non-surgical treatments for treating gallstones.
Gallstone Surgery / Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of gallstones is known as CHOLECYSTECTOMY. A surgery for treating gallstones involves the removal of gallbladder because retaining the gall bladder increases the chances of gallstones being formed again. Since the human body can function without a gallbladder, the removal of this organ does not really affect the body.
After gallstone surgery, bile flows from the liver to the small intestine through a common bile duct. The body no longer stores bile between meals due to the absence of the gallbladder. This usually has no effect on digestion except in some cases where it may cause diarrhea. There are two types of surgeries for removing gallstones, namely laparoscopic surgery and open gallbladder surgery.
Gallstone surgery or cholecystectomy is usually a well-planned surgery but in some rare cases, the surgery may be an emergency. In this surgery, the gall bladder is removed by clipping and transecting the cystic duct and cystic artery. The different types of cholecystectomies are discussed below.
- LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY OR KEYHOLE SURGERY
- OPEN GALLBLADDER SURGERY
- MICRO/MINI LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY OR NEEDLESCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY
- ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY (ERCP)
This information does not replace medical advice. If you have a medical problem please see your doctor or consultant.
Gallstones or Cholelithiasis are the most common of all gallbladder problems. Formation of gallstones leads to gallbladder disease and bile duct disease. Adults are more prone to the problem of gallstones.
