How Do They Treat Gallstones?

Gallstones are obstructions made of cholesterol and or calcium salts that form in the gallbladder or in bile ducts. Although gallstones often cause no symptoms, some signs of gallstones can be nausea or abdomen pain.

Surgery

• According to the Mayo Clinic, surgery is the preferred way to treat gallstones. The gallbladder is removed during surgery. Gallstone surgery, or cholecystectomy, is one of the most common surgeries in the United States.

Laparoscopic Surgery

• Laparoscopic surgery uses a small tube inserted through the abdomen. Incisions for laparoscopic surgery are small. A camera attached to the tube helps doctors see the severity of the blockage while also giving an inside view of the abdomen during gallbladder removal.

Open Surgery

• Open surgery uses a large incision in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. Open surgery is most often used in severe cases.

Salt Tablets

• Bile salt tables are used to help dissolve cholesterol stones. For best results, these salt tablets are often taken for several years.

Shock Waves

• Shock wave therapy, or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, uses sound waves to destroy gallstones. Shock wave therapy is most commonly used when there is a small stone or a small number of stones.

Percutaneous Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

• Percutaneous electrohydraulic lithotripsy uses energy blasts to break apart stones. This procedure uses a catheter inserted into the gallbladder to deliver the energy blasts.