There are other treatments for gallstones and gallbladder disease, but they are not widely available. Experts don’t know as much about the effectiveness of other treatments as compared to laparoscopic and open surgery. If gallstones are found in the common bile duct during surgery, they are usually removed while the gallbladder is being removed. Occasionally, a gastroenterologist may choose to use a special viewing technique to see the gallstones — an endoscopic retrograde chonalgiopancreatogram. The ERCP allows the doctor to perform a non-surgical procedure to encourage stones to pass more easily out of the common bile duct. A flexible, lighted … Continue reading →

Out of all the people who develop gallstones, only between one and four percent of them develop symptoms. If you aren’t experiencing pain or other symptoms, you generally don’t need treatment! If your gallstones do cause symptoms, you generally have two courses of action: watchful waiting and surgery. You and your health care professional may decide that it is best to wait and see if the pain and other symptoms go away on their own. Watchful waiting is often the best course if this is your first experience with gallstone pain and the pain is mild. If you aren’t at … Continue reading →

Gallbladder removal is the most popular treatment for gallstones that cause moderate to severe pain and/or other symptoms. Very occasionally, surgery may be done to prevent complications from gallstones, like duct blockage. Surgery is generally required if: Your gallbladder becomes inflamed or infected. Gallstones cause repeated episodes of pain. There are polyps (growths) in the gallbladder that are larger than 0.4 inch. Gallstones cause an inflammation in the pancreas. The gallbladder wall has calcified, also known as porcelain gallbladder. You have gallbladders and an impaired immune system. You may also need your gallbladder removed if you have sickle cell disease … Continue reading →