How to treat gallstones

  Gallstones are a common and frequent disease in our country. Nowadays, the incidence of gallbladder stones in China is gradually increasing, and due to the comorbidities caused by biliary colic and acute cholecystitis, active treatment is needed for gallbladder stones. For both gallbladder stones and bile duct stones, surgery is the main treatment.  1. Gallbladder stones: For gallbladder stones with symptoms and/or complications, cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment. However, it should be noted that for gallbladder stones in children and asymptomatic gallbladder stones in adults, prophylactic cholecystectomy is generally not performed, but can be observed and followed up first. When the number of stones is large and the diameter of stones is ≥2–3 cm, cholecystectomy treatment is needed, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is preferred. Laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of small injury, fast recovery, light pain, and scar is not easy to find.  2, bile duct stones: for extrahepatic bile duct stones are still mainly surgical treatment, asymptomatic intrahepatic bile duct stones can be left untreated, only regular observation and follow-up. With the maturity of minimally invasive technology, in addition to the traditional open choledochotomy to retrieve stones, laparoscopy, choledochoscopy and duodenoscopy are now used for minimally invasive treatment of extrahepatic bile duct stones.  Nowadays, with the development of minimally invasive surgery, many operations for gallstones have become routine. Therefore, if you have gallstones, just seek medical treatment in time.