Gallstones gone in a flash

Pioneering one-hour laser surgery replaces two painful procedures – with fewer risks and a quicker recovery...

THOUSANDS of people suffering agonising gallstones could benefit from a two-in-one procedure to quickly cure the condition. Gallstones are solid particles that sometimes form in the gallbladder, a pouch-like organ sitting in the liver.

These‘ stones’ can become trapped in the duct which links the gallbladder with the rest of the gut, causing excruciating pain, nausea and jaundice.

Until now, some patients had to go through two separate procedures, weeks apart, firstly to have the lodged, pea-sized balls taken out and, later, the gallbladder removed.

But now, surgeons at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust are using lasers to blast away the stones before taking out the organ in a single procedure.

The one-hour keyhole operation has a lower risk of complications than traditional methods, so spares patients from a potentially lengthy recovery time, according to experts. Alberto Martinez-Isla, a consultant surgeon at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, explains: ‘When gallstones get trapped they can cause patients real discomfort and lead to lifethreatening problems with other organs in the digestive system,’.

‘The standard treatment involves at least two hospital visits and multiple days of recovery.

‘This new, single-stage procedure is better for patients, requiring just a one-day hospital stay.’

The gallbladder is about the size of a small purse and sits under the liver in the upper abdomen.

It stores bile, a substance made in the liver which aids fat digestion.

Gallstones are thought to develop when there is an imbalance in the chemical make-up of bile, but it is unclear exactly what causes this.

One in ten adults in the UK has them, with women, the over 40s and obese and overweight people most likely to be affected.

Most will not experience symptoms. However if a stone becomes trapped in the opening of the gallbladder, it can trigger sudden, intense pain in the abdomen.

Some people with gallstones also develop severe complications. The gallbladder can become inflamed, resulting in persistent pain, jaundice and a high temperature. Acute pancreatitis can also occur.

Medication is not prescribed very often as it doesn’t work for most people. The most effective treatment is removal of the gallbladder. The organ is not essential and people can live a normal life without one.

However, studies suggest up to 18 per cent of people who undergo surgical removal of this pouch will have at least one stone still trapped in their bile duct, the tube that attaches the gallbladder to the intestines. This can cause the pancreas to become inflamed and prove fatal – which is why the stones must be removed first.

This is usually done during an