Non-surgical removal of a large bile duct stone performed by a multidisciplinary team at ‘Heart and Brain’

Gastroenterologists at ‘Heart and Brain’ Burgas performed for the first time laser destruction of a large-sized gallstone in a patient with a gallstone detected during a previous examination. This is the second attempt to remove the mass, after the doctors judged that the manipulation could not be performed in the traditional way by removal with a balloon or metal basket. With the help of a cholangioscope, a thin endoscope through which it is possible to view the bile ducts, the stone is visualized and subsequently fragmented using a laser fiber (Thulium laser) and equipment provided by the urology department. The patient recovered within only two days and was discharged without complications after the procedure. Thus, surgical intervention was avoided, which is usually severely tolerated and leads to prolonged hospital stay.

Non-operative removal of bile duct stones

Gallstone disease is common. When gallbladder concrements are found, patients undergo surgical treatment. However, when pathological formations get into the bile ducts, they cause yellowing of the skin and eyes and in these cases are the subject of gastroenterology. A highly specialized procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is performed to remove the stones from the bile ducts. In a not insignificant percentage of cases, specialists encounter large concrements (more than 15 mm) that cannot be removed by this method alone.The gastroenterology department in the high-tech hospital complex ‘Heart and Brain’ in Burgas has additional equipment, the so-called cholangioscopy, with which the bile ducts are examined.