How is intrahepatic bile duct stones treated?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Intrahepatic bile duct stones refer to stones located in the branches of the bile duct above the junction of the left and right hepatic ducts. Surgical treatment is currently the main method of treatment. Treatment should be based on the number and distribution of stones within the bile ducts, the location and extent of hepatic and biliary strictures, pathological changes in the liver, the state of liver function, and the patient's overall symptoms. Appropriate surgical approaches should be adopted, including hepatectomy, high position bile ductotomy for stone removal, transhepatic choledochotomy for stone removal, biliary-intestinal internal drainage, liver transplantation, etc.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Do intrahepatic bile duct stones fear cold?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones can possibly experience chills. This is because patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones often have concurrent cholangitis, which manifests as chills, high fever, prominent upper abdominal pain, and jaundice. In severe cases, it can even lead to acute suppurative cholangitis, septic shock, and death. Therefore, for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones presenting with significant symptoms, early surgical treatment is advised. Surgery involves opening the bile duct to remove the stones, which can be curative. Post-surgery, it is still necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as peppers, barbecues, and garlic, and to mainly consume a bland diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to facilitate recovery. After recovery, patients generally do not experience significant discomfort.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
41sec home-news-image

How is intrahepatic bile duct stones treated?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones refer to stones located in the branches of the bile duct above the junction of the left and right hepatic ducts. Surgical treatment is currently the main method of treatment. Treatment should be based on the number and distribution of stones within the bile ducts, the location and extent of hepatic and biliary strictures, pathological changes in the liver, the state of liver function, and the patient's overall symptoms. Appropriate surgical approaches should be adopted, including hepatectomy, high position bile ductotomy for stone removal, transhepatic choledochotomy for stone removal, biliary-intestinal internal drainage, liver transplantation, etc.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Will intrahepatic bile duct stones cause a bluish complexion?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, if experiencing an episode, may exhibit symptoms such as sharp pain in the upper right abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. These patients are prone to acute cholangitis. Additionally, this condition is a type of biliary colic, thus the pain is significant and may even manifest as a bluish complexion. Therefore, patients with prominent symptoms should undergo surgery as soon as possible. Surgery is the only definitive treatment. Although the use of antibiotics for infection control can alleviate the inflammation and improve the condition temporarily, recurrence is common.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is running effective for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, frequent running has no effect on treatment. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, since it often coincides with cholangitis, they may experience significant pain in the upper right abdomen, along with clinical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, high fever, and jaundice. Therefore, when symptoms occur in patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, surgery is required to achieve treatment effects. The main surgical method is a choledochotomy for stone removal, which can cure the condition by removing the stones. Generally, treatment effects cannot be achieved through diet and exercise alone. Of course, avoiding spicy and irritating foods can reduce the likelihood of cholangitis and somewhat alleviate symptoms.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is the recurrence rate of intrahepatic bile duct stones high?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones can potentially recur. Intrahepatic bile duct stones are often accompanied by acute cholangitis, resulting in significant right upper abdominal pain, and may also present with nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. When symptoms occur, surgery can be performed to open the bile duct and remove the stones for a radical cure. However, there is also a possibility of recurrence in postoperative patients. The likelihood of recurrence cannot be definitively determined but should be assessed based on the condition of the illness. Therefore, patients who have undergone surgery should also have regular ultrasonographic follow-ups to dynamically observe changes in their condition and prevent the worsening of the disease.