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Gallstone disease: Current therapeutic practice

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Opinion statement

Most asymptomatic gallstone carriers require no therapy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the best definitive therapy for symptomatic gallstone disease. Selective laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide secondary prevention of symptoms and complications in certain instances (in a complex clinical setting such as sickle cell disease or to prevent gallbladder carcinoma from developing in those at risk with large [> 3 cm] gallstones or with a calcified gallbladder). Primary prevention is unproven but focuses on early identification and risk alteration to decrease the possibility of developing gallstones. Ursodeoxycholic acid has a limited role for stone dissolution but can prevent stone development in severe obesity during rapid weight reduction with diet or after bariatric surgery. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with endoscopic sphincterotomy represents the therapeutic cornerstone for managing severe pancreatitis and cholangitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, University of Calgary, Translational Research and Wellness Building, Room 6D29, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N4N1, Canada

    Eldon A. Shaffer

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  1. Chad I. Williams
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Correspondence to Eldon A. Shaffer.

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Williams, C.I., Shaffer, E.A. Gallstone disease: Current therapeutic practice. Curr Treat Options Gastro 11, 71–77 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-008-0018-6

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