Antibiotics will be given to treat the infection that is often associated with the bile duct obstruction by the stones. Options to remove bile duct stones include endoscopic or operative procedures. The endoscopic procedure is known as Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP).
Following successful removal of bile duct stones with ERCP, surgery to remove the gallbladder is still recommended to prevent future occurrence of this and other gallstone related problems.
Surgical techniques to remove the bile duct stones include both laparoscopic and open procedures. Occasionally, percutaneous radiological guided procedures may be undertaken to relief the obstruction due to the stone, or to remove stones that are still present following a surgical procedure.
