How to manage multiple gallstones without surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

My grandmother has multiple gallstones. She is very weak, and according to our doctor, she will not be able to tolerate surgery. I wanted to know if there are any non-surgical methods to treat this condition. She is having severe abdominal pain, accompanied by pain between the shoulders.

She has had this problem for more than 8 to 12 months now. In addition to the problems that I have mentioned, she says that she can not eat anything. Even though she feels hungry, she says that her stomach feels full. Also, she says that she experiences a severe burning sensation whenever she eats or drinks anything.

She is not taking any medications for this specific issue. She takes medicines to soothe the burning sensation down her throat to the chest so that she can eat peacefully. Apart from that, she takes medicine to keep her blood pressure under control. Though she does not have any heart disease, she does take some medicine for her heart as a precaution.

We did an ultrasound, and the reports are attached. As per the report, she has multiple gallstones, along with the possibility of the adhesion of the gallbladder to the bowel. There is no certainty about this; it is just a possibility.

Please help.

Thank you

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I have seen the reports (attachments removed to protect patient identity). There is no doubt that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and standard treatment for cholecystitis nowadays. However, some patients continue antibiotic therapy without undergoing surgery.

She could be admitted and receive medications, including antibiotic therapy, according to the protocols, analgesia with paracetamol and Metamizole, prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease, and proton pump inhibitor administration.

Oral intake of water should be initiated upon admission if she did not complain of nausea or vomiting, with a progressive increase of liquid and food intake according to her oral tolerance. In my opinion, you should discuss with her surgeon about the availability of performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.