REMOVING 15 GALLSTONES FROM THE COMMON BILE DUCT OF AN 84-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

Doctors at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital recently treated an elderly foreign patient suffering from over 15 gallstones lodged in the gallbladder, complicated by cholecystitis.

Despite undergoing a procedure to remove bile duct stones at another hospital, the patient continued to experience abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, and fever, leading her to seek emergency care at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital.

Removing 15 Gallstones From The Common Bile Duct Of An 84-Year-Old Woman

Mrs. T.S., 84 years old from Cambodia, was admitted with pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, and high fever for one week prior to hospitalization. She was initially diagnosed with cholecystitis at a local hospital and underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which was unsuccessful. As her condition deteriorated, her family transferred her to Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital for emergency treatment.

Imaging studies revealed both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilation due to multiple stones in the distal common bile duct. The common bile duct was dilated to 18 mm, and the gallbladder measured 45×85 mm. Several stones measuring approximately 8×8 mm were detected at the distal end of the common bile duct.

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level II – the primary physician in charge – the patient was diagnosed with severe cholangitis and cholecystitis caused by stones in both the common bile duct and gallbladder. This was a high-risk case with a strong likelihood of progressing to septic shock if not promptly treated. After thorough clinical examination, the medical team conducted an urgent consultation with the General Surgery Department and decided to perform open bile duct exploration with stone removal and biliary drainage to prevent life-threatening complications.

That same night, the surgical team — comprising Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level II; Dr. Mai Van Dung, MMed, Specialist Level I; and Dr. Pham Truong Minh — along with the anesthesiology team, successfully performed the operation. After two hours of surgery, 15 stones measuring approximately 0.8 – 1 cm were extracted from the distal common bile duct, and a drainage tube was placed.

Despite her advanced age, the patient recovered well after surgery. Five days postoperatively, her test results normalized, and imaging showed no remaining inflammation or stones in the bile ducts. At her one-month follow-up, she was in stable condition.

Gallstones are one of the most common surgical conditions, ranking second only to appendicitis among gastrointestinal diseases. Stones in the common bile duct may result from various causes, including bacterial or parasitic infections, worms entering the bile duct, or stones migrating from the intrahepatic bile ducts or gallbladder. Depending on the individual case, doctors will select the most appropriate treatment approach.

Typical symptoms of common bile duct stones include abdominal pain, fever, jaundice (due to bile obstruction), acute cholangitis, or acute pancreatitis. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, necrotizing pancreatitis, septic shock, multiple organ failure, and even death.

To prevent gallstones, it is important to maintain a balanced diet rich in fiber and vegetables, avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages, and exercise regularly.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Duong, MMed, Specialist Level II and Deputy Head of the General Surgery Department at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, advises patients experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, or dark urine to seek medical attention and undergo testing as soon as possible. Without early diagnosis and timely treatment, bile duct obstruction and severe infection may develop, posing life-threatening risks.

To schedule a consultation at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, please contact our hotline at 1800 67 67.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.