How to treat gallstones?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 14, 2024
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For the treatment of gallbladder stones, the approach mainly depends on whether there are symptoms or not. For patients with asymptomatic gallstones, which are relatively small in size, they are often found during ultrasonography and do not require special treatment. Regular follow-up ultrasonography is conducted to dynamically observe changes in size. Of course, diet should also avoid spicy and stimulating foods to reduce inflammatory stimulation and avoid foods high in cholesterol and fats, focusing on a light diet, which can alleviate symptom flare-ups and control the condition. For patients with larger gallstones who often experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, early surgical treatment should be pursued, as surgery is the only way to achieve a cure and can significantly improve the patient's quality of life.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Do gallstones need to be removed?

Whether or not gallstones need to be removed depends mainly on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. For patients with gallstones smaller than four centimeters, they generally do not exhibit obvious symptoms and do not require special treatment. They can have regular follow-up ultrasound exams to dynamically observe any changes in the condition. Of course, they should avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory stimuli, which is beneficial in controlling the condition. For patients with larger gallstones, who repeatedly experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, it is necessary to remove the gallbladder through surgery to achieve a cure. The preferred method of surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as it has the advantages of a smaller incision, less damage, and quicker recovery.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Causes of gallstones

The main cause of gallstones is attributed to diet, with cholesterol stones being the most common type among patients. Therefore, individuals who consume foods high in fats and cholesterol, such as offal and fatty meats, are more prone to developing gallstones. Of course, the formation of gallstones is also closely related to genetic and environmental factors. Treatment of gallstones primarily depends on the presence or absence of symptoms. Patients with small gallstones usually do not exhibit noticeable symptoms and do not require special treatment, but should regularly undergo follow-up ultrasound examinations to monitor any changes. However, patients with symptomatic gallstones need to have their gallbladder surgically removed to achieve a cure.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How should gallstones be treated?

For the treatment of gallstones, the decision mainly depends on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. Patients with small gallstones generally do not exhibit clear symptoms and are often discovered only through ultrasound. They do not require special treatment; regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size are sufficient. In daily diet, it is advised to avoid food high in cholesterol and fats, and to maintain a light diet, which can better control the condition. Patients with large gallstones often experience recurrent upper right abdominal pain and discomfort, which affects their quality of life. Treatment can include the use of antibiotics to manage infections. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated, but recurrences are common, necessitating eventual surgical removal of the gallstones to achieve a better treatment outcome. Primarily, complete removal of the gallbladder through surgery can potentially cure the condition.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps differentiation

Gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps are common diseases in the digestive system and are usually benign. Both gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, leading to chronic cholecystitis. Some patients may experience acute episodes of pain in the upper right abdomen, leading to an acute cholecystitis attack. Both conditions typically require laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging to confirm diagnosis. Clinically, they are mainly identified through color Doppler ultrasound; gallbladder stones are formed by the deposition of bile salts within the gallbladder, while gallbladder polyps are protrusions growing from the gallbladder wall into the cavity, which can be clearly distinguished by ultrasound.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What will happen if gallstones worsen?

For patients with gallstones, if exacerbation occurs, they will exhibit significant pain in the upper right abdomen, and may even experience radiating pain in the right shoulder, scapular area, and back, severely affecting the quality of life. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension among other gastrointestinal symptoms. Thus, patients with these symptoms should undergo surgery as soon as possible. The primary treatment for gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as it has the advantages of a small incision, minimal injury, and faster recovery, making it often the first choice in clinical settings. Additionally, it is still necessary for postoperative patients to avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation and better facilitate recovery from the condition.