Can Gallstones Be Removed Without Surgery?

• 27/01/2024
• 0

Can Gallstones Be Removed Without Surgery – A gallstone is a hardened deposit of digestive fluid found in the gallbladder (a small organ located on the right-hand side of the abdomen, just below the liver). Gallbladders contain a digestive fluid known as bile that is passed into the small intestine. Yes, Gallstones can Be Removed Without Surgery. Non-surgical methods like oral dissolution therapy (Ursodiol) can be used to remove them. However, it’s important to note that this method doesn’t work for every type of gallstone. 

The most common and successful method for removing gallstones is surgical removal, usually through a procedure called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms that persist or if there are complications, it may be best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you based on your circumstances.

Causes Of Gallstones 

Although it can not be said clearly what are the exact reasons for gallstones. But some specialists suggested that these could be the three highest possible reasons.   

• Excessive cholesterol in your bile

Yellow cholesterol stones are caused by excess cholesterol in the bile. These are hard stones that form when the liver produces more cholesterol than the bile can break down.

• A high amount of  bilirubin in your bile

Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Once it is produced, it travels through your liver and is ultimately removed from your body. Some diseases, like liver disease and certain blood diseases, make your liver produce more bile than it is supposed to. When your liver produces too much bile, your body’s gallbladder is unable to break it down. This causes the formation of pigment gallstones.

• Thickened bile due to a full gallbladder

Your gallbladder must be able to clear its bile for it to work properly. If your gallbladder cannot clear its bile, the bile will become too concentrated, which can lead to the formation of stones.

Can Gallstones Be Removed Without Surgery? 

A low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-fructose diet and a high-fibre diet can also help prevent and reduce the risk of gallstones. Lemon Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar Warm water and lemon juice can also help prevent the formation of gallstones. Some people use apple cider vinegar to get rid of gallstones. Peppermint Tea helps to loosen the muscles of the digestive tract, which facilitates the passage of gallstones and digestion. At last, turmeric offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

These Home remedies only work as preventive measures, but the effect of the procedures doesn’t last for the long term and there is a chance of its reformation. Cholecystectomy is a clinical practice for permanent gallstone removal.

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A laparoscope is a small flexible tube that is inserted into the abdomen. It has a light and a video camera at the end. It is used to remove a gallbladder by making small cuts on the abdomen.
• Open cholecystectomy: The gallbladder is removed through a single abdominal incision.

Symptoms of Gallstones 

If you have gallstones, they can cause pain in your upper right abdominal area or the middle of your abdomen. You may occasionally experience pain in your gallbladder after eating high-fat foods, like fried foods. However, the pain can happen at any time of the day or night.

The pain caused by gallstones usually only lasts for a few hours but can be very painful.

• A severe Pain in the right upper or middle upper abdomen for a minimum of 30 minutes. The pain may be constant or cramping. It can feel sharp or dull.
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Pain in your right shoulder
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Itchy skin
• Diarrhoea
• Chills
• Confusion
• A loss of appetite
• A high temperature
• Rapid heartbeat

Diagnosis

Your doctor will do a physical exam that includes looking at your eyes and skin to see if there are any colour changes. If you have a yellowish tint, it could be a sign that you have jaundice, which is caused by too much of a substance called bilirubin. The exam may include diagnostic tests that allow your doctor to see inside your body, such as an ultrasound to take pictures of your abdomen.

• Ultrasounds are the preferred imaging method used to diagnose gallstone disease. They can also be used to identify abnormalities related to acute cholecystic liver disease.
• An abdominal CT scan is an imaging test that takes pictures of the liver and abdominal area. It almost takes about an hour to complete the Scanning.
• A Gallbladder Radionuclide scan is a diagnostic test that uses a radioactive substance to be injected into your veins. This substance travels through your bloodstream to the liver and the gallbladder. A scan can show evidence of infection or blockage in your bile ducts due to the presence of stones in your gallbladder.
• Blood test Your doctor will order blood tests to measure the amount of bile in your blood

What If Gallstones Are Left Untreated?

• Gallbladder Inflammation

Cholecystitis is inflammation of your gallbladder caused by gallstones. Cholecystitis can cause severe abdominal pain and fever, as well as infections.

• Blocked Bile Duct 

gallstones can travel from your gallbladder to your normal bile duct, where they block the bile flow. This can lead to jaundice, discolouration of your skin and eyes, as well as a medical emergency.

• Pancreatitis

pancreatitis is a painful and life-threatening disease that can be caused by gallstones when it triggers inflammation of the pancreas,

• Cholangitis

Also known as gallstone disease, is a bile duct infection caused by gallstones. Symptoms of cholangitis include fever, abdominal discomfort, and hepatitis.

• Gallbladder Cancer

Gallstones can raise the risk of gallbladder cancer. 

Conclusion 

We hope that the above information helps you to get the desired results. If you are from Chandigarh or nearby and looking for a Gallbladder Specialist, you must visit Dr. Ahuja Clinic where Alok Ahuja is a senior consultant surgeon and well-experienced in “cholecystectomy” surgery for successful gallstone removal and diagnosis.