It is easy to see why the prospect of treating gall bladder stones without surgery is so attractive. Surgery is generally safe, but it brings a whole new set of anxieties – recovery time, possible complications, post-operative dietary changes. Many patients have asked us if there is a way to gallbladder stone removal without surgery in Chennai. The honest answer is: it depends on the patient, the type of stones and the severity of the symptoms.
Non Surgical Treatment Option Available
Gallstones can be managed non-surgically in selected patients. By far the most popular treatment is oral dissolution therapy. This involves the use of medications containing bile acids (most commonly ursodeoxycholic acid) to gradually dissolve the cholesterol gallstone. This treatment takes months or years to work and is only an option if you have small, non-calcified stones and your gallbladder is still functioning.
Another option is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The sound waves make the stones shake into smaller bits small enough to go through the bile duct. But it is not popular due to high recurrence rate and limited applicability (it only works for a narrow group of patients).
These are the ways of gallbladder stone removal without surgery in Chennai. But the candidature should be appropriately assessed.
Who is a candidate for non-surgical therapy?
In general, non-surgical methods are indicated only in patients if:
Small single or multiple cholesterol stones (not pigment stones). Gall bladder action. Cystic duct open. Surgery is not indicated in patients with no or minor symptoms because of significant health risks. Surgery refused after informed counselling.
Surgery remains the most reliable and permanent solution for most patients with symptomatic gallstones (particularly in the setting of recurrent biliary colic, cholecystitis or complications such as pancreatitis).
Risks of not treating gallstones
Non-surgical management does NOT cure the underlying condition, it manages it. You gotta get this. Recurrence rates are high following oral dissolution therapy (up to 50% at 5 years). However, if gallstones are left untreated, they may lead to severe, life-threatening complications including acute cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder), choledocholithiasis (stone in the bile duct), gallstone pancreatitis and gallbladder cancer (rare). Such complications often need emergency surgery in less favourable conditions than planned procedures, even in cases considering gallbladder stone removal without surgery in Chennai.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the gold standard
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole removal of the gall bladder) continues to be the gold standard treatment for the vast majority of patients with symptomatic gallstones. It is a safe, minimally invasive procedure done under general anaesthetic, and typically takes less than an hour. Most patients are released from hospital within 24 hours and are back to normal activity within one to two weeks.
It is a very routine procedure with very low rates of complications in experienced laparoscopic surgeons using modern surgical techniques.
The Right Choice for Your Health™
Treatment of gallstones is best individualized. Your doctor either a gastroenterologist or general surgeon will consider the characteristics of your stone, your symptoms, the function of your gallbladder and your overall health to determine the best treatment. Get a proper medical assessment first, don’t rely on online advice or anecdotal remedies.
There are some non-surgical treatments for gallstones, but they are limited to a small number of patients. The safest and most permanent solution is usually surgery.
At GEM Hospital, the team of gastroenterologists and minimally invasive surgeons provide a holistic and patient-centric approach to the management of gallstones. Whether you are considering non-surgical options or are ready to discuss surgery, their specialists will walk you through the entire process. Contact us today for the full evaluation and care that you deserve.