Minimally invasive procedures offer patients a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery for bile stone treatment. Read on to find more on how to treat this condition.
Bile stones, also known as gallstones, are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. These stones can cause significant discomfort and may lead to complications if left untreated. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have revolutionized the treatment of bile stones, offering patients safer and more effective options through minimally invasive procedures.
What Causes Bile Stones?
Gallstones can make your daily life extremely hard and uncomfortable. If not treated on time, they can also invite severe health complications. But do you know what causes them?
As per experts, gallstones forms when the bile juice (released by the liver) contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or not enough bile salts. These bile stones can also form when the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough.
Bile Stone Symptoms That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
As per studies, only 10 per cent of people who are diagnosed with bilestones will develop noticeable signs and symptoms within 5 years. The rest 90 per cent may or may not notice any symptoms. However, some common unusual things can happen inside your body when you are suffering from bile stones, these are:
- Fever accompanied by chills
- Rapid heartbeat
- Change in skin colour
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Confusion
- Unexplained loss of appetite
What Happens When You Ignore The Symptoms?
Well, the symptoms can cause significant discomfort in your daily life and also lead to health complications. Gallstones can block the tubes (ducts) through which bile flows from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Severe pain, jaundice and bile duct infection can result. Blockage of the pancreatic duct. We spoke to Dr Amol Samarth, Sr Consultant Gastroenterology, KIMS Kingsway Hospital, Nagpur, to understand what one should do after being diagnosed with bile stones, and detailed information on the available treatment options in India.
How Are Bile Stones Treated?
Minimally invasive procedures have gained popularity in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology due to their numerous advantages over traditional surgical approaches. These procedures involve using specialized instruments and techniques to access and treat the bile stones, resulting in smaller incisions, reduced scarring, faster recovery times, and fewer complications.
One of the key minimally invasive procedures used for bile stones is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to visualize the bile ducts and gallbladder. It allows for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions by inserting a flexible tube with a camera through the mouth and into the small intestine. ERCP can help locate and remove bile stones, relieve blockages, and facilitate the flow of bile.
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Another minimally invasive procedure commonly used is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This procedure involves making a few small incisions in the abdomen and inserting a tiny camera and specialized instruments. The surgeon then removes the gallbladder through these small incisions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers several advantages over traditional open surgery, including reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery.
Advancement In Technologies
In recent years, advancements in medical technology have led to the development of newer techniques for breaking down bile stones. One such technique is lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to break the stones into smaller fragments. These fragments can then be easily passed through the bile ducts and eliminated from the body. Lithotripsy is often combined with other minimally invasive procedures to ensure complete stone removal.
Another emerging technique is cholangioscopy, which allows direct visualization and treatment of bile duct stones. During this procedure, a specialized endoscope is inserted into the bile ducts, providing high-definition imaging of the stones. The stones can then be removed using specialized tools, such as baskets or lasers. Cholangioscopy has approximately shown 85% to over 90% success rates of stone removal and reduced the need for invasive surgeries.
Minimally invasive procedures offer patients a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery for bile stone treatment. These procedures are associated with minimal post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. Additionally, they carry a lower risk of complications, making them a safer option for many patients.
Advances in minimally invasive procedures have revolutionized the treatment of bile stones. Techniques such as ERCP, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, lithotripsy, and cholangioscopy have transformed the way bile stones are managed, offering patients safer and more effective treatment options. If you are experiencing symptoms of bile stones or have been diagnosed with gallstones, consult with a healthcare expert to discuss the appropriate minimally invasive procedure that may be suitable for your condition.
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