Prevention of common bile duct stones recurrence after surgery

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is expertly consulted by a Doctor of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
After successful surgical removal of bile duct stones, many patients subjectively think that they have gotten rid of this disease. However, the disorder of bile metabolism is one of the main causes of stones that Western medicine treatments are not easy to deal with. Therefore, gallstones will likely recur after 3-5 years of treatment.
Many cases of gallstone patients have to have surgery for the 4th, 5th time, adversely affecting the psychology of the patient, the treating doctor and increasing the burden of funding. So, after having surgery to completely remove the stone, what solutions will be available to help prevent gallstones from recurring? Here are some tips that patients should not ignore.

1. What are common bile duct stones?

Common bile duct stone (OMC) is a common disease in our country. Previously, OMC stones accounted for 80-90% of all gallstone diseases. In recent years, due to the increasing rate of gallstones, the rate of common bile duct stones has decreased significantly (about 50 - 60%).
Different from common duct gallstones in European and American countries (mainly cholesterol stones and moving from the gallbladder), the pathology of OMC stones in Vietnam is very complicated, mainly composed of bile pigments, the nucleus is roundworm eggs or corpses. Biliary worms and infection play an important role in stone formation.

2. Methods to prevent recurrence of common bile duct stones after surgery

2.1 Eat scientifically Not skipping meals, eating at the right time, eating many meals and limiting foods high in bad fats are principles in the diet that can help prevent gallstones effectively. Specifically:
Drink lots of water: This is a solvent that eliminates many toxins from the body, helping to digest fats easily, so it reduces the risk of common bile duct stones; Reduce fat and sugar intake: Bad fats (including saturated fats, trans fats - partially hydrogenated oils) and sugar are both increased risk for common bile duct stones. Therefore, when you have completely eliminated the stone, it is still necessary to limit the use of these foods; Increase fiber: Fiber helps eliminate bad cholesterol, which means reducing the risk of stones accumulating in the common bile duct. Whole grains, lentils, fresh fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, are the richest sources of fiber, with the highest fiber content; Vitamin C supplements: Some nutritionists believe that vitamin C can help the body prevent gallstones from developing, it helps cholesterol dissolve in water more easily and remove them from the body. Vitamin C is found in many fruits like oranges, and some vegetables like red bell peppers.

Some notes in the diet:
Avoid cholangitis, cholecystitis: When the bile ducts and gallbladder are inflamed, it will increase damage in the lining of the mucosa, increasing the risk of stone deposition. To prevent this, the patient needs to avoid constipation or diarrhea for too long, because they increase the risk of bacterial infection of the bile; Avoid worms in the bile duct: If worms or intestinal flukes accidentally enter the bile duct, they can lay eggs or die there, nesting for the components in the bile to attach. To prevent this, the patient should eat cooked food, drink boiling water, do not eat raw food and deworm every 6 months. 2.2 Increase exercise Along with diet, increased exercise has been shown to be one of the effective solutions to reduce the risk of gallstone disease. In addition, exercise will also help patients maintain a healthy weight and body shape, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.
Patients can start with simple, moderate exercises and then gradually increase the level. Experts recommend exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 150 minutes a week.
2.3 Control your weight within limits When you are overweight or obese, it will increase the cholesterol content in the bile, thereby increasing the risk of common bile duct stones, so it is advisable to control your weight by eating healthy strength and exercise regularly.
However, avoid low-calorie diets to quickly lose weight or go completely vegetarian, because that is not only not beneficial but also increases the risk of stone formation, because bile is not brought into the digestive tract. . Patients should only lose about 2.5-3kg/week.
2.4 Notes on the use of some drugs Lipid-lowering drugs tend to increase the excretion of cholesterol into bile. Therefore, if the patient is using this group of drugs, it is necessary to pay attention to control the diet, combine physical activity to increase biliary tract movement.
Common bile duct stone is a disease with a high recurrence rate if the patient does not have a reasonable diet and lifestyle. Recurrent stones greatly affect the patient's health, leading to depression, fatigue and costly treatment. Therefore, patients with gallstones should absolutely follow the doctor's advice on living and eating habits after treatment to minimize the possibility of stone recurrence.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.