For those who have gallstones but they aren't producing any symptoms, or surgery to remove them isn't suitable for you, there may be alternative treatments. Sometimes gallstones can be dissolved using medicines, however gallstones often return after this kind of remedy and it is therefore rarely used.
If gallstones are in your bile duct and not in your gallbladder, they may be removed during ERCP. An endoscope, which is guided using X-rays, is passed into your mouth and down to your bile duct. Unique instruments can also be inserted inside the endoscope to allow your surgeon to remove the gallstones from your bile duct. ERCP can only be used to remove gallstones if they are found in your bile ducts. If gallstones are in your gallbladder itself, you may need gallbladder surgery as well. Your surgeon will talk about any possible optional treatments with you.