Suggest Treatment For Removal Of Gallbladder Stone

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 9 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had c-section pregnancy in Aug-13. Last week sonography reveled hepatomegaly and 10 mm stone in gall bladder. LFT showed SGPT reading of 58. Other functions in limit. In such situation what would u recommend. Medication to dissolve gallstone or removal of gall bladder? Since I have to take care of my baby, I want to avoid any surgery. Thanks for your advise in advance.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Answer given below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you. The SGPT is only slightly out of range and it is not significant.The hepatomegaly could be due to fatty liver and the mildly elevated SGPT could be due to that. The gallstone is sitting quiet there. It has not caused any obstruction which would have manifested with jaundice, fever and raised alkaline phosphatase. In that case MRCP/ERCP and removal of gallbladder should have been the treatment. Since in your case, there are no signs of inflammation or obstruction, there is no need to remove the gallbladder. There is no medication which dissolves gallstones. You may consider taking ursodeoxycholic acid which may prevent formation of new stones and may be useful in very small stones. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr.R.K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (22 hours later)

Hello, Thanks for your reply. It's reliving to know that gall bladder removal is not necessary. However I have read that one can delay that removal but it is unavoidable.. is it so ? Since it may damage the liver, I would like to know when to time the surgery. What are the symptoms to look for? will routine monitoring of Liver test be one way to time the operation?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 days later)

Brief Answer: Answer given below Detailed Answer: Hi, Sorry for the delay. Removal of gallbladder is not unavoidable. Many people have stone in the gallbladder without any symptoms and they do not need any surgery. But if it is causes inflammation or obstruction, then gallbladder has to be removed as these complications can recur. The symptoms you have to look for are severe pain in the right upper quadrant which may radiate to the right shoulder or the right shoulder blade or jaundice /fever/chills. Routine monitoring can be done with ultrasound scan of the abdomen and Liver function test ( if there is jaundice/fever/chills). Surgery can be done laparoscopically only if you develop any of the complications mentioned above. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr.R.K

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar