GALLSTONES – TREATMENTAt times, it is necessary to open and explore the common bile duct, as when there is a history of jaundice or if there are indications at operation that a small stone may lie within the duct. When the duct is explored, it usually extends the stay in hospital to 10 to 14 days. In the past, quacks often gained a reputation for themselves by claiming to cure gallstones. Their potions usually consisted of one part of oil and another of alkali. These reacted in the bowel to form a soap which collected as one or more pellets. When these were passed in the motion, the quack claimed he had rid the person of their stones. While researchers have long sought to dissolve stones, rather than operate, it is only recently that this has become possible. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDC) is a naturally occurring bile acid which can be given by mouth in large quantities and can both prevent and dissolve the cholesterol stones. It only works for these rather than the pigment or mixed stones and, even then, is only effective in about 20 per cent of cases, although up to half the stones may be reduced in size. *374/71/1* Random PostsLeave OneYou must be logged in to post a comment. |

