How stones are formed in gallbladder. Gallstones: Formation, Symptoms, and Risk Factors Explained

11.12.202124.07.2023 by alexxlab

How do gallstones form in the gallbladder. What are the common symptoms of gallstones. Who is at higher risk of developing gallstones. How are gallstones diagnosed and treated.

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The Formation of Gallstones: Understanding the Process

Gallstones are solid, pebble-like formations that develop in the gallbladder when bile hardens into stone-like material. These formations can vary in size and composition, with two main types: cholesterol stones and pigment stones.

Cholesterol Stones: The Most Common Type

Cholesterol stones are the most prevalent form of gallstones. They form when the bile contains an excess of cholesterol, which can crystallize and eventually form stones. Several factors can contribute to this imbalance:

Too much cholesterol in the bile
Insufficient bile salts
Excess bilirubin (bile pigment)
Improper emptying of the gallbladder

Pigment Stones: Less Common but Significant

Pigment stones are less common than cholesterol stones and tend to develop in individuals with specific health conditions. These include:

Cirrhosis
Biliary tract infections
Hereditary blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia)

The exact causes of pigment stones remain uncertain, but researchers continue to investigate their formation mechanisms.

Recognizing Gallstone Symptoms: When to Seek Medical Attention

Initially, many gallstones remain asymptomatic. However, as they grow larger or begin to obstruct bile ducts, symptoms may emerge. These “attacks” often occur after consuming fatty meals and during nighttime hours.

Common Symptoms of Gallstones

Individuals experiencing gallstone attacks may encounter a range of symptoms, including:

Intense, steady pain in the upper abdomen
Back pain between the shoulder blades
Right shoulder pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Abdominal bloating
Intolerance to fatty foods
Belching or gas
Indigestion

Can gallstone symptoms mimic other medical conditions? Indeed, gallstone symptoms may resemble those of other health issues, such as heart attacks, appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, or hepatitis. Due to this similarity, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Silent Stones: The Asymptomatic Variant

Some individuals may have gallstones without experiencing any symptoms. These are referred to as “silent stones.” In most cases, silent stones do not interfere with the function of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas and typically do not require treatment.

Risk Factors for Gallstone Development: Who’s Most Susceptible?

Understanding the risk factors associated with gallstone formation can help individuals take preventive measures and seek early medical attention when necessary.

Obesity: A Major Contributor

Obesity stands out as a significant risk factor for gallstone development, particularly in women. Excess body weight can alter bile composition and gallbladder function, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.

Hormonal Influences: The Role of Estrogen

Elevated estrogen levels can contribute to gallstone formation. Sources of excess estrogen include:

Pregnancy
Hormone replacement therapy
Birth control pills

How does estrogen affect gallstone formation? Excess estrogen appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, both of which can lead to the development of gallstones.

Genetic and Demographic Factors

Certain genetic and demographic factors can influence an individual’s susceptibility to gallstones:

Ethnicity: Native Americans have the highest rates of gallstones in the United States, possibly due to a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile.
Gender: Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones.
Age: People over 60 are more prone to gallstone formation than younger individuals.

Medical Conditions and Medications

Several health conditions and medications can increase the risk of gallstone development:

Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes often have high levels of triglycerides, which can contribute to gallstone formation.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs: Paradoxically, medications that lower blood cholesterol can increase the amount of cholesterol secreted in bile, raising the risk of gallstones.

Lifestyle Factors: Weight Loss and Fasting

Certain lifestyle choices can impact gallstone formation:

Rapid weight loss: During fast weight loss, the body metabolizes fat rapidly, causing the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile, potentially leading to gallstone formation.
Fasting: Extended periods without food can decrease gallbladder movement, resulting in overconcentrated bile rich in cholesterol.

Diagnosing Gallstones: Medical Procedures and Imaging Techniques

When gallstone symptoms persist or recur, healthcare providers may employ various diagnostic procedures to confirm the presence of gallstones and assess their severity.

Ultrasound: The Primary Diagnostic Tool

Ultrasound is often the first-line diagnostic technique for gallstones. This non-invasive procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs, allowing healthcare providers to visualize the gallbladder and any stones present.

Cholecystography: Assessing Gallbladder Function

Cholecystography is an X-ray procedure that involves the administration of a contrast fluid to evaluate gallbladder function and detect the presence of gallstones. This technique can provide valuable information about the gallbladder’s ability to concentrate bile and contract properly.

Additional Diagnostic Procedures

In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend additional tests to gather more information about gallstone presence and associated complications:

Computed tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Blood tests to assess liver function and detect signs of infection or inflammation

Treatment Options for Gallstones: From Watchful Waiting to Surgery

The appropriate treatment for gallstones depends on various factors, including the severity of symptoms, the size and location of the stones, and the patient’s overall health.

Watchful Waiting: Managing Asymptomatic Gallstones

For individuals with asymptomatic gallstones or those with mild, infrequent symptoms, a watchful waiting approach may be recommended. This involves monitoring the condition and making lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of complications.

Surgical Intervention: Cholecystectomy

When gallstones cause frequent or severe symptoms, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is often the recommended treatment. Two main surgical approaches are available:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions in the abdomen.
Open cholecystectomy: A traditional surgical approach involving a larger incision, typically reserved for complex cases or when laparoscopic surgery is not feasible.

Non-Surgical Treatments: Dissolving Gallstones

In some cases, non-surgical treatments may be considered for individuals who cannot undergo surgery or have small cholesterol stones:

Oral dissolution therapy: Medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol) can help dissolve small cholesterol stones over time.
Lithotripsy: This procedure uses shock waves to break up gallstones, making them easier to pass or dissolve.

Preventing Gallstone Formation: Lifestyle Modifications and Dietary Changes

While some risk factors for gallstones are beyond an individual’s control, several lifestyle modifications can help reduce the likelihood of gallstone formation.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Given the strong link between obesity and gallstone development, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for prevention. However, it’s important to approach weight loss gradually, as rapid weight loss can increase the risk of gallstone formation.

Dietary Considerations

Certain dietary choices may help reduce the risk of gallstone formation:

Increasing fiber intake
Consuming healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil and fatty fish
Limiting saturated fats and cholesterol
Avoiding crash diets and extreme fasting

Regular Exercise

Engaging in regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and promote proper gallbladder function. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

Living with Gallstones: Managing Symptoms and Preventing Complications

For individuals diagnosed with gallstones, proper management is essential to minimize symptoms and prevent potential complications.

Dietary Adjustments

Modifying your diet can help reduce the frequency and severity of gallstone attacks:

Limit high-fat foods
Eat smaller, more frequent meals
Stay hydrated
Incorporate foods that promote gallbladder health, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Stress Management

Stress can exacerbate gallstone symptoms in some individuals. Implementing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises may help manage symptoms.

Regular Medical Check-ups

Maintaining regular appointments with your healthcare provider is crucial for monitoring your condition and addressing any changes or complications promptly.

Understanding gallstone formation, recognizing symptoms, and knowing the available treatment options are essential for managing this common condition effectively. By staying informed and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can navigate the challenges of gallstones and maintain optimal gallbladder health.

Gallstones | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What are gallstones?

Gallstones form when bile stored in the gallbladder hardens into stone-like
material. Too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin (bile pigment) can
cause gallstones.

When gallstones are present in the gallbladder itself, it is called
cholelithiasis. When gallstones are present in the bile ducts, it is called
choledocholithiasis. Gallstones that obstruct bile ducts can lead to a
severe or life-threatening infection of the bile ducts, pancreas, or liver.
Bile ducts can also be obstructed by cancer or trauma, but this is not
related to gallstones.

What causes gallstones?

Cholesterol stones are believed to form when bile contains too much
cholesterol, too much bilirubin, not enough bile salts, or when the
gallbladder does not empty as it should for some other reason.

Pigment stones tend to develop in people who have cirrhosis, biliary tract
infections, and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia. The
causes of these stones are uncertain.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

At first, most gallstones do not cause symptoms. However, when gallstones
become larger, or when they begin obstructing bile ducts, symptoms or
“attacks” begin to occur. Attacks of gallstones usually occur after a fatty
meal and at night. The following are the most common symptoms of
gallstones. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:

Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and
may last from 30 minutes to several hours
Pain in the back between the shoulder blades
Pain in the right shoulder
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Chills
Jaundice. A yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Abdominal bloating
Intolerance of fatty foods
Belching or gas
Indigestion

People who experience the following symptoms should consult their doctor
immediately:

Some people with gallstones do not have any symptoms. These stones are
called “silent stones,” because they do not interfere with the function of
the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, and do not require treatment in most
cases.

The symptoms of gallstones may resemble other conditions or medical
problems, such as heart attack, appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel
syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, or hepatitis. Always consult your
health care provider for a diagnosis.

Who is affected by gallstones?

The following are suggested risk factors for gallstones:

Obesity.
Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women.
Estrogen.
Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or
birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile
and decrease gallbladder movement, both of which can lead to
gallstones.
Ethnicity.
Native Americans have the highest rates of gallstones in this
country and seem to have a genetic predisposition to secrete high
levels of cholesterol in bile.
Gender.
Women are twice as likely to develop gallstones than men.
Age.
People over 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger
people.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Drugs that lower cholesterol in blood can actually increase the
amount of cholesterol secreted in bile, which, in turn, increases
the risk of gallstones.
Diabetes.
People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids,
called triglycerides, which increase the risk for gallstones.
Rapid weight loss.
As the body metabolizes fat during rapid weight loss, it causes the
liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause
gallstones.
Fasting.
Fasting decreases gallbladder movement, which causes the bile to
become overconcentrated with cholesterol.

How are gallstones diagnosed?

In some cases, asymptomatic gallstones are discovered by
accident–during testing for another diagnosis. However, when pain
persists or happens again and again, your health care provider may want
to conduct a complete medical history and physical examination, in
addition to the following diagnostic procedures for gallstones:

Ultrasound.
A diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to
create an image of the internal organs.
Cholecystography.
X-ray that shows the flow of contrast fluid through the
intestines into the gallbladder.
Blood tests.
These look for signs of infection, obstruction, jaundice,
and/or pancreatitis.
Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan).

A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of
X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial,
images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows
detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones,
muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than
general X-rays.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

A procedure that involves inserting an endoscope (viewing tube)
through the stomach and into the small intestine. A special dye
injected during this procedure shows the ducts in the biliary
system.
Sphincterotomy.
Opening the muscle sphincter, a ring of muscle around a natural
opening that acts like a valve, wide enough so stones can pass
into the intestine.

Treatment for gallstones

Specific treatment for gallstones will be determined by your health
care provider based on:

Your age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the condition
Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the condition
Your opinion or preference

If the gallstones cause no symptoms, treatment is usually not
necessary. However, if pain persists, treatment may include:

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
Once removed, the bile flows directly from the liver to the
small intestine. Side effects of this may include diarrhea
because the bile is no longer stored in the gallbladder.
Oral dissolution therapy.
Drugs made from bile acid are used to dissolve the stones.
Methyl-tert-butyl ether.
A solution injected into the gallbladder to dissolve stones.
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).
A procedure that uses shock waves to break stones up into tiny
pieces that can pass through the bile ducts without causing
blockages.
Contact dissolution therapy.
An experimental procedure that involves injecting a drug
directly into the gallbladder to dissolve the stones.

Picture, Symptoms, Types, Causes, Risks, Treatments

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

What Are Gallstones?
Gallstone Types
Symptoms of Gallstones
Causes of Gallstones
Gallstone Risk Factors
Gallstone Diagnosis
Can Gallstones Go Away on Their Own?
Gallstone Treatment
Complications of Gallstones
Preventing Gallstones
More

Gallstones are pieces of solid material that form in your gallbladder, a small organ under your liver. If you have them, you might hear your doctor say you have cholelithiasis.

Your gallbladder stores and releases bile, a fluid made in your liver, to help in digestion. Bile also carries wastes like cholesterol and bilirubin, which your body makes when it breaks down red blood cells. These things can form gallstones.

Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. You might not know that you have them until they block a bile duct, causing pain that needs treatment right away.

The two main kinds of gallstones are:

Cholesterol stones. These are usually yellow-green. They’re the most common, making up 80% of gallstones.
Pigment stones. These are smaller and darker. They’re made of bilirubin.

Gallstones don’t normally cause symptoms. Symptoms occur only when a gallstone gets stuck and blocks the flow of bile through your system.

If you have symptoms, they may include:

Pain in your upper belly, often on the right, just under your ribs
Pain in your right shoulder or back
An upset stomach
Vomiting
Other digestive problems, including indigestion, heartburn, and gas

See your doctor or go to the hospital if you have signs of a serious infection or inflammation:

Belly pain that lasts several hours or is severe
Fever and chills
Yellow skin or eyes

Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes gallstones, but they might happen when:

There’s too much cholesterol in your bile. Your body needs bile for digestion. It usually dissolves cholesterol. But when it can’t do that, the extra cholesterol might form stones.
There’s too much bilirubin in your bile. Conditions like cirrhosis, infections, and blood disorders can cause your liver to make too much bilirubin.
Your gallbladder doesn’t empty all the way. This can make your bile very concentrated.

You’re more likely to get gallstones if you:

Have a family history of them
Are a woman
Are over age 40
Are of Native American or Mexican descent
Are obese
Have a diet high in fat and cholesterol but low in fiber
Don’t get much exercise
Use birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
Are pregnant
Have diabetes
Have an intestinal disease like Crohn’s
Have hemolytic anemia or cirrhosis of the liver
Take medicine to lower your cholesterol
Lose a lot of weight in a short time
Are fasting

Your doctor will do a physical exam and might order tests including:

Blood tests. These check for signs of infection or blockage, and rule out other conditions.

Ultrasound. This makes images of the inside of your body.

CT scan. Specialized X-rays let your doctor see inside your body, including your gallbladder.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This test uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves to make pictures of the inside of your body, including your liver and gallbladder.

Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan). This test can check whether your gallbladder squeezes correctly. Your doctor injects a harmless radioactive material that makes its way to the organ. A technician can then watch its movement. This can help diagnose cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) from gallstones.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Your doctor runs a tube called an endoscope through your mouth down to your small intestine. They inject a dye so they can see your bile ducts on a camera in the endoscope. They can often take out any gallstones that have moved into the ducts, but that’s only done if treatment is planned as part of the procedure since it’s invasive.

Endoscopic ultrasound. This test combines ultrasound and endoscopy to look for gallstones that may be in places that are hard to see with other imaging, such as in the common bile duct as it passes through the pancreas.

If your gallstones aren’t causing symptoms, there’s usually no need for you to have surgery. You’ll only need it if a stone goes into, or blocks, one of your bile ducts. This causes what doctors call a “gallbladder attack.” It’s an intense, knife-like pain in your belly that can last several hours.

If you have sickle cell or another blood disorder, your doctor may consider doing a cholecystectomy as a precaution, even if you don’t have symptoms.

You don’t need treatment if you don’t have symptoms. Some small gallstones can pass through your body on their own.

Most people with gallstones have their gallbladders taken out. You can still digest food without it. Your doctor will use one of two procedures.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This is the most common surgery for gallstones. The surgeon works through tiny cuts (incisions). They pass a narrow tube called a laparoscope into your belly through a small cut. The tube contains a tiny light and a camera. The doctor will take out your gallbladder through another small cut using special devices. You’ll usually go home the same day.

Open cholecystectomy. Your doctor makes bigger cuts in your belly to remove your gallbladder. You’ll stay in the hospital for a few days afterward. You’ll need open surgery if you have a bleeding disorder. You may also need it if you have severe gallbladder disease, are very overweight, or are in your last trimester of pregnancy.

For both types of surgery, you’ll get general anesthesia. This means you won’t be awake during the procedure.

If gallstones are in your bile ducts, your doctor may use ERCP to find and remove them before or during surgery.

Nonsurgical treatment: If you have another medical condition and your doctor thinks you shouldn’t have surgery, they might give you medication instead. Chenodiol (Chenodo l) and ursodiol (Actigall, Urso 250, Urso Forte) dissolve cholesterol stones. They can cause mild diarrhea.

You may have to take the medicine for years to totally dissolve the stones, and they may come back after you stop taking it.

Gallstones can cause serious problems, including:

Gallbladder inflammation (acute cholecystitis). This happens when a stone blocks your gallbladder so it can’t empty. It causes constant pain and fever. Your gallbladder might burst, or rupture, if you don’t get treatment right away.
Blocked bile ducts. This can cause fever, chills, and yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice). If a stone blocks the duct to your pancreas, that organ may become inflamed (pancreatitis).
Infected bile ducts (acute cholangitis). A blocked duct is more likely to get infected. If the bacteria spread to your bloodstream, they can cause a dangerous condition called sepsis.
Gallbladder cancer. It’s rare, but gallstones raise your risk of this kind of cancer.

Some lifestyle changes might lower your risk of gallstones.

Eat a healthy diet that’s high in fiber and good fats, like fish oil and olive oil. Avoid refined carbs, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
Although obesity is a risk factor, avoid diets that make you lose a lot of weight in a short time.
If you’re a woman at high risk of gallstones (for example, because of your family history or another health condition), talk to your doctor about whether you should avoid using hormonal birth control.

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Stones in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis) – a disease of the gallbladder, which is accompanied by the formation of stones. Stones in the bladder disrupt the process of digestion, interfere with the normal outflow of bile, and cause acute conditions such as colic.

Gallstones are solid masses of various sizes, shaped like rounded stones. They are formed during the hardening of bile, caused by an excess of cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin.

The gallbladder is a small sac-like organ located under the liver. The main functions are the accumulation and concentration of bile.

In turn, bile is a fluid that is synthesized in the liver. Bile consists of acids, pigments, enzymes. Bile is involved in the breakdown of fats. The liver, gallbladder, duodenum and pancreas are connected by a duct system.

Types of gallstones

Cholesterol stones. Yellow-green in color. Predominantly formed in women and obese people. The share of cholesterol stones accounts for up to 80%.
Pigment stones. Black-brown in color. Formed with concomitant diseases of the liver, cirrhosis, inflammation of the bile ducts.

Symptoms

Many people with gallstones do not experience symptoms. Complaints arise during the formation of large stones, an increase in their number, as a result, the development of complications. Complications include inflammation, infection, impaired bile flow after duct closure.

Gallstone colic is a key sign of gallstones. The pain occurs suddenly, quickly reaches a maximum. Colic is characterized by increasing pain in the right hypochondrium. The duration is several hours. Colic is provoked by the intake of fatty foods. Characterized by the following features:

Sudden, increasing pain in the upper right abdomen
Severe pain in the center below the sternum
Right shoulder pain
Increased pain when eating fatty foods
Nausea or vomiting
Fever
Jaundice
Discolored chair (clay color)

Causes of cholelithiasis

Responsible for the development of gallstones:

Increased content of cholesterol in bile. High cholesterol levels in the blood lead to high levels of cholesterol in the bile. Excess cholesterol occurs with diabetes, obesity. Lecithin and acids, aimed at dissolving cholesterol, cannot cope with the splitting process. Cholesterol turns into crystals.
Excess bilirubin. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of red blood cells. An increase in the synthesis of bilirubin is associated with cirrhosis, infection, and blood pathology. Bilirubin as well as cholesterol provokes the formation of stones.
Impaired contractility of the gallbladder. With incomplete emptying, part of the bile remains in the bladder, concentrates in the form of a precipitate, then crystallizes with the formation of stones

Risk factors:

Female
History of cholelithiasis
Age over 40
Overweight, obesity
Metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus)
Reduced physical activity
Unbalanced nutrition
Pregnancy
Diseases of the liver

Diagnostics

Diagnosis requires a comprehensive examination. The attending physician conducts a survey, determines the main complaints, the history of the development of symptoms, finds out what provokes the appearance of complaints. Then the doctor conducts an examination, palpates the abdomen in different departments. The survey includes:

Laboratory tests
Instrumental diagnostics
Endoscopic methods

Laboratory tests

If gallstone disease is suspected, a general and biochemical blood test is performed. Assess the performance of the liver and biliary tract.

Instrumental diagnostics

Ultrasound is a highly effective non-invasive imaging modality. The method is based on the reflection of ultrasonic waves from internal organs and image formation.
Computed tomography. Allows you to visualize gallstones, as well as complications caused by gallstone disease. The method is based on X-ray radiation.
Magnetic resonance imaging. Highly informative method in relation to the detailed image of the structures of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract, as well as inflammation. MRI is based on electromagnetic waves interacting with radio frequency radiation.
Cholecystography. The patient is injected intravenously with a contrast agent, then an x-ray is taken. The image accurately determines the condition of the biliary tract, the site of obstruction, the presence of inflammation.

Endoscopic methods

Retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the preferred endoscopic procedure for stone detection. This procedure allows you to remove intraductal stones using a duodenoscope, as well as inject a contrast agent for subsequent x-rays.

Complications

Cholecystitis is the most common complication. Occurs when a stone enters the cystic duct. Bile, which stagnates in the bladder, causes it to become inflamed. Cholecystitis is accompanied by intense pain, fever.
Choledocholithiasis is characterized by the movement of a stone into the common bile duct, with an increased risk of damage to both the gallbladder and the liver. Closure of the common bile duct is accompanied by pain, development of obstructive jaundice, infection

Treatment of the gallbladder in the Federal Scientific and Practical Center

Treatment depends on the clinical picture, the intensity of symptoms, concomitant diseases. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and prevent recurrence of the pathology.

Treatment of the gallbladder includes:

Prescribing drugs
Surgery
Extracorporeal lithotripsy
Endoscopic Stenting
Lifestyle correction (elimination of excess body weight, proper nutrition)

Medical therapy

Prescribing drugs has two goals: preventing the formation of new and dissolving existing stones. Medicines are effective for small, non-calcified cholesterol stones in a normally functioning gallbladder. The duration of the course is 12 months and longer if necessary.

Laparoscopic surgery

In cholelithiasis, which is accompanied by symptoms, frequent colic, removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is indicated.

Surgeons of the FSCC FMBA of Russia perform the operation through one access – an advanced type of surgical removal of the gallbladder. The technique consists in creating one incision near the navel, while classical laparoscopy involves four incisions-ports.

Minimally invasive ICG fluorescent navigational laparoscopy is the method of choice for surgical treatment at the Federal Research and Clinical Center. It is based on the use of a fluorescent contrast agent, which is administered intravenously to the patient before surgery. Thanks to the contrast agent, the visualization of anatomical structures, blood vessels, and bile ducts improves. The use of ICG technology has been proven to reduce the risk of intraoperative complications, reduce the patient’s stay in the hospital and the recovery period.

Endoscopic retrocholangiopankeratography (ERCP)

ERCP under the control of the SPY GLASS DC imaging system is a modern method for the diagnosis and treatment of cholelithiasis. The SpyGlass DC device is an ultra-thin endoscope with a miniature camera fixed on it, which is passed through the channel of the main endoscope. An advanced device determines the cause of the disease with high accuracy, allows visually controlled crushing of large stones.

ERCP, along with lithotripsy, is the method of choice in the presence of contraindications to surgical treatment.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Extracorporeal lithotripsy is an alternative to surgery. Under the influence of high-frequency shock waves, stones in the gallbladder can be crushed and destroyed.

Prophylaxis

Following simple recommendations reduces the risk of developing gallstones:

Regular physical activity
Maintenance of optimal weight, if overweight, gradual reduction
Complete, balanced diet, eating at the same time
Eating high fiber foods

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Cholelithiasis (GSD) is the formation of stones (calculi) in the gallbladder and bile ducts. Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that most commonly form in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just below your liver. The gallbladder contains a digestive fluid called bile, which is secreted into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of food.

Gallbladder stones range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Some people develop only one gallstone, while others develop many small stones at the same time.

The presence of stones carries the risk of developing dangerous conditions and severe complications.