What to do if gallstones recur

In the case of recurrent gallstones, if no biliary stone extraction surgery was performed, then it is considered to be a complication of common bile duct and intrahepatic bile duct stones after cholecystectomy surgery. If the patient’s total bilirubin is above 34.2 μmol/L, and direct bilirubin is mainly elevated, combined with alkaline phosphatase and GGT elevation, the patient is considered to have obstructive jaundice, and further ultrasound of the upper abdomen and MRCP water imaging of the biliary tract are required. After these tests, the diagnosis of bile duct stones is confirmed and the site of the stones is identified, ERCP can be considered to remove the stones from the bile duct. After stone removal, ENBD drainage tube should be placed routinely for nasobiliary drainage, and the patient should be considered for removal of the nasobiliary tube after 1-3 days, after review of the patient without pancreatitis, and after bilirubin has decreased and liver function has improved. This will cure the stones in the common bile duct. If necessary, surgical exploration of the bile duct or partial hepatectomy may also be performed.