What are the treatment methods for dissolving gallstones?

Nov 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Gao Jun

Introduction

Gallbladder stones are a common gallbladder disease, primarily caused by factors such as excessive cholesterol and bile pigments in the bile, and the gallbladder's inability to empty completely. Patients may experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain and pancreatitis. Treatments for dissolving gallbladder stones generally include conservative management, contact dissolution, medication use, percutaneous gallbladder puncture with dissolution, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Generally, treatment methods for dissolving gallbladder stones include routine management, contact dissolution, medication, percutaneous gallbladder dissolution, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Routine management: Patients with mild conditions can achieve improvement through daily lifestyle adjustments. It is recommended to drink warm water appropriately, maintain a light and healthy diet, and engage in suitable exercise, all of which can aid in dissolving the stones.

2. Contact dissolution: A special catheter is used to directly inject dissolution medication into the gallbladder, allowing the medication to come into direct contact with the stones, thereby improving dissolution efficiency. This method enables the medication to reach a higher concentration around the stones, enhancing the dissolution effect.

3. Medication: Medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid tablets, chenodeoxycholic acid capsules, and stone-expelling granules should be taken under medical guidance. These medications can reduce the saturation of cholesterol in bile, promote the dissolution of cholesterol stones, and alter bile composition to achieve the goal of stone dissolution.

4. Percutaneous gallbladder dissolution: Under ultrasound guidance, a catheter is inserted percutaneously into the gallbladder, through which dissolution medication is then administered. This method allows direct delivery of medication to the gallbladder and enables selection of the appropriate dissolution agent based on the size and nature of the stones.

5. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): ESWL involves focusing high-energy shock waves generated outside the body onto the stones, disrupting their internal structure and causing fragmentation. This process makes larger stones easier targets for dissolution medication, thereby increasing the success rate of stone dissolution.

In daily life, patients are advised to maintain a light diet, follow a regular作息 (作息 translates to "routine作息" or "daily routine"), go to bed early and rise early, which contributes to overall health. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended.

View All

Are gallbladder stones the same as gallstones?

In general, gallbladder stones and bile duct stones are not exactly the same. "Bile duct stones" is a general term that includes gallbladder stones, which are the most common type of biliary stone. The two differ in terms of conceptual scope and site of occurrence. In daily life, regardless of whether it is gallbladder stones or other types of biliary stones, a light diet should be maintained.

View Full Answer

How to eliminate gallbladder polyps

In general, gallbladder polyps may be caused by factors such as excessive consumption of greasy foods, long-term late nights and irregular作息 (作息乱 should be "irregular作息" but the term "作息" doesn't have a direct translation and is often used to refer to daily routines or作息规律 refers to regular daily routines), chronic gallbladder inflammation, gallbladder stones accompanied by polyps, or abnormal cholesterol metabolism. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatment, medication, surgical treatment, or other appropriate methods.

View Full Answer

Do cholecystitis and gallbladder stones require surgery?

Whether surgery is needed for cholecystitis mainly depends on the patient's specific condition. If it is acute cholecystitis, surgery may be required; however, if it is chronic cholecystitis, surgery may not be necessary. The need for surgery in cases of gallstones also depends on the specific clinical situation. If the patient's condition is mild, surgery is usually not required; however, if the patient experiences recurrent biliary colic, surgical intervention is necessary.