For biliary pain caused by gallbladder stones, the patient may be placed in the right lateral position. This is because the pain caused by gallbladder stones may be associated with stones located in the neck of the gallbladder or in the cystic duct that compress the mucosa or cause impaction. In the flat position and the left lateral position, the bottom of the gallbladder is high and stones can easily move down into the neck of the gallbladder and the cystic duct causing painful symptoms. In the right lateral position, the bottom of the gallbladder is in a low position, and gravity may cause the stones to slide down into the bottom of the gallbladder, thus relieving the pain symptoms. However, many times a change in position alone will not relieve the symptoms of biliary pain, such as in the case of severely embedded gallbladder stones or acute non-lithotripsy cholecystitis, and antispasmodic or even antibacterial medications should be administered promptly. Some patients may also require emergency surgical treatment to avoid septicemia, perforation or gangrene of the gallbladder.