Treatment Options For Choledocholithiasis
The main goal of treating choledocholithiasis is to reduce the blockage in the bile duct. Common options include stone extraction, fragmenting stones, removal of the stones or gallbladder, or biliary stenting. The biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy or BES is the most common treatment. During this procedure, your doctor will insert a device into the bile duct to extract the stones. If this method does not work, then lithotripsy can be suggested. It aims at fragmenting stones so that they would be passed or captured easily.
People with gallstones in the gallbladder and bile duct would be treated with the removal of the gallbladder. During this procedure, the doctor might need to examine the bile duct for any remaining gallstones. When it is impossible to remove stones completely, your doctor would put tiny tubes called biliary stents to open the passage. They can help provide sufficient drainage and prevent choledocholithiasis issues in the future. These stents would also be helpful in preventing infections.[8]
