It is perhaps more accurate to say that surgery is currently the recommended option for symptomatic gallstone disease especially if the surgical risk is deemed to be low or minimal. This option is also believed to be the most definitive treatment so far.
In the event when the surgical risk is high (e.g. elderly with multiple medical problems including heart diseases or stroke) or when a person is not keen for surgery, symptomatic treatment plus attempting gallstone dissolution with oral therapy may be an alternative option. Depending on the type, number and size of stones present, the response to such dissolution treatment remained highly variable.
One point to note is the need to remain on such treatment on a long term basis to prevent stone reformation even if proven effective. As such, oral stone dissolution therapy is usually chosen only when surgery is excluded as an option for any reason.
- Dr Quan
