Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Gallstones
My mother is 65 year old.. She has multiple gallstones size 9mm.. Her Appetite is good.. Gas problem and a little pain sometimes is there but not severe.. Is Surgery really required?
Or can it be avoided? Can we stay on Udiliv tablet for 2 years to dissolve her stones.. Can we cancel the surgery?
(doctor said surgery will be high risk due to severe sleep apnea)
Answers (4)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Problem with gall stones unlike kidney stones which can be excreted is that once the gall stones start dissolving, it reduces in size and when it reduces in size it's free to pass down the tract... When it move down, possibility of it getting blocked on the way is higher and if it does get blocked, chances of pancreatitis is higher. Believe me last thing that you want is a gall stone induced pancreatitis. So suggestion would be to go ahead with surgery.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+107
Multiple gall stones is a risk factor for Gall bladder carcinoma in future and Udiliv tablet doesn't dissolve the already formed stones of Gall bladder.
To go with surgery or avoid it, is final decision of yours, but there's no known medical management of Gall bladder stone till now.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Harishankar BGV
General Surgeon
9 yrs exp
Chennai
Straight to the point: multiple gall stone disease can anytime cause severe complications like acute pancreatitis(inflammation of pancreas), severe cholecystitis(inflammation of gall bladder), cholangitis(inflammation of bile tubes), even pus formation in gall bladder.
On the other side severe sleep apnea is a risk factor for developing cardiac(heart) complications, slow recovery etc.
Benefits of gall bladder surgery are that all the mentioned complications can be prevented.
So one has to weigh the benefits and risks involved. Detailed discussion with surgeon needed.
Next Steps
Talk about the risks and benefits in detail with surgeon. Discuss with anaesthetist regarding risks during and after surgery.
Health Tips
Udiliv can't dissolve multiple gall stones.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ramesh Makam
General Surgeon
35 yrs exp
Bangalore
Udiliv does not work for multiple gall stones. Patients with single gall stone have cholesterol as it’s chemical composition and this can dissolve with Udiliv. The composition in cases of multiple stones just more complex and they do not dissolve.
If she has complained of pain then there is a good possibility that she will continue to get pain and it can become severe or there can be other complications such as infection of the gall bladder, stone slipping out of gall bladder and causing jaundice or pancreatitis. Hence it would be advisable to get laparoscopic surgery done.
Next Steps
She needs to be prepared for surgery and we call this pre operative optimisation. She needs to work on weight loss, breathing exercises, usage of CPAP if indicated by sleep study and her risk for surgery will come down. Avoid all fats in food strictly and this will reduce chances of her developing pain or complications, till she is ready for surgery.
Health Tips
No milk, curds, oil, butter, ghee and non-veg for now
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.