$Unique_ID{BRK00380} $Pretitle{} $Title{Gall Stone Movement and Nonsurgical Treatment} $Subject{surgery gallbladder stone gall stones endoscope special procedure procedures biliary calculi operations operation cholecystectomy cholesterol bile severe abdominal pain nausea vomiting fever ultrasound waves x-rays surgery surgeries crush extract dissolve endoscope} $Volume{P-9} $Log{ Multiple Stones in Gallbladder*0003601.scf Multiple Stones in Common and Hepatic Ducts*0003603.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Gall Stone Movement and Nonsurgical Treatment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: After many years without any sign of their presence, my gall stones suddenly sent a painful signal of their presence. My doctor thought that one had gotten stuck in a little tube inside, but before any tests could be performed, I got better. I was told if it happened again, the stone could be removed without an operation. I want to know what caused the stone to move now, and how they get it out without surgery? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: It's not unusual for gall stones (biliary calculi) to remain silent for long periods of time, and it is possible that you may not hear from them again if you are both careful and lucky. About 20 million Americans share your situation, and more than 500,000 gall bladders are removed each year (by an operation known as a cholecystectomy). Gall stones form when the bile contains a heavy concentration of cholesterol, but other less well understood factors also play important roles. The gall bladder stores the bile between meals, and then contracts when food to be digested reaches the area of the intestines called the duodenum. The bile is pushed from the gall bladder to the intestine through two small tubes, the cystic duct and the common bile duct. Trouble starts when a stone that has been quietly residing in the gall bladder goes for a ride along with the bile, and becomes stuck in the narrow passage formed by the ducts. You are made aware of the fact by severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Frequently, a heavy, rich meal has preceded this event, and probably was a part of the cause. Physicians may locate the exact position of the stone using ultrasound waves or x-rays. Although surgery to remove both stones and gall bladder is the most common treatment, a newer procedure is available to doctors today when a stone becomes lodged in the tract. A long tube called an endoscope may be passed down the esophagus, through the stomach to the intestines. An instrument which can be inserted inside the tube, may be used to crush or extract the lodged stone. The procedure is a lot less traumatic than the surgical operation. Your physician may choose to prescribe medications now, before the next attack, which can dissolve the stones present in the gall bladder, and prevent any future attacks. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.