How is intrahepatic bile duct stones treated?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 13, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
52sec home-news-image

What to do about vomiting due to intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones often have concomitant acute cholangitis, presenting with prominent right upper abdominal pain. Thus, they may experience clinical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, high fever, and jaundice. At this point, treatment should involve the use of antibiotics to combat the infection. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated. Gastric protective drugs can also be used for symptomatic treatment to better relieve symptoms. However, for patients with symptomatic intrahepatic bile duct stones, the primary treatment is surgical, which is the only way to cure the condition completely. Conservative treatment can only alleviate symptoms. The surgical method mainly involves laparoscopic choledochotomy for stone removal, which can cure the condition by removing the stones.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
47sec home-news-image

What should I do if I always have back pain due to intrahepatic bile duct stones?

If patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones repeatedly experience back pain, this should be taken seriously. Intrahepatic bile duct stones often coincide with acute cholangitis, which can cause discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen. There might also be radiating pain in the right shoulder and scapular area, resulting in a sensation of soreness. At this time, antibiotic treatment should be used to fight the infection. Once the inflammation is under control, the condition can be alleviated. Of course, if the symptoms recur, surgical treatment should be carried out as soon as possible. Only surgery can achieve a complete cure, significantly improving the patient's quality of life and alleviating the condition more effectively.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
49sec home-news-image

Can gallstones within the liver that don't cause pain be ignored?

For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones who do not experience any discomfort, abdominal pain, or jaundice, it is possible to temporarily observe without special treatment. However, special attention should be paid to the diet. It is advisable to avoid spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, barbecue, and garlic, as these inflammatory irritants may cause local inflammation and even lead to acute cholecystitis and cholangitis. Additionally, the diet should also avoid foods high in cholesterol and fats, such as animal offal and fatty meats, as these foods can exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, although patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones may not exhibit any symptoms, it is still important to pay attention to daily life.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
29sec home-news-image

How long does it take for intrahepatic bile duct stones to form?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones are a relatively common biliary system disease, related to patients' poor lifestyle and dietary habits. The formation time of intrahepatic bile duct stones varies; some people may form stones within a few months, while others may take several years, or even more than a decade or decades to form. Therefore, it is recommended that patients go to a regular public hospital for examination and maintain a light diet with plenty of vegetables.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
55sec home-news-image

What are the sequelae of liver resection for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones do not have significant sequelae after liver resection because the area of the liver removed during the surgery is relatively small, generally not causing significant effects. Furthermore, for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, the main treatment involves making an incision in the bile duct to remove the stones, which can completely cure the condition, and patients can typically recover within about seven days after the surgery. Since the procedure is mainly performed using laparoscopy, it has the advantages of smaller incisions, less damage, and faster recovery. Therefore, postoperative recovery is relatively good. At this time, patients can also avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory irritation, better promoting recovery from the condition. There are no significant sequelae after the resection.