Golds In Gut

In the midst of global economic slump,bordering on recession if not depression, any glitter that resembles that precious metal asset Gold is very attractive indeed.

Unfortunately,that gold-like structures above is a picture of multiple bile duct stones being extracted endoscopically during a procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography, or in short ERCP.

These stones originated in the Gallbladder.

Patients with symptomatic Gallbladder Stones(=Gallstones) who delay treatment in the form of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy may be complicated by Bile Duct stones.

Usually,patients will experience excruciating abdominal pain in the area of the Upper Right abdominal region associated with Jaundice(Yellow Eyes) and sometimes Fever.

The treatment consist of 2 steps;

1.ERCP to remove the Bile Duct stones

2.Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to remove the diseased gallbladder containing the original stones

Internal Biliary Stenting at ERCP before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Many patients with gallstones neglect or ignore their symptoms by taking painkillers.

Many patients seek treatment from Primary Care Physicians who also prescribe painkillers to control the symptoms.

Patients with symptomatic gallstones should undergo a definitive surgical procedure called Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

One of the delayed complications of untreated symptomatic gallstones is a Secondary Bile Duct Stones...ie.Stones in the Biliary Tree which originate from the gallbladder

Patients with Bile duct stones should undergo Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP) to clear the bile duct from stones.During ERCP,quite often an Internal Biliary Stent(pic.) is inserted to prevent further secondary ductal stone before the definitive Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is undertaken at a planned date in the near future.