Gallstones that are causing no symptoms may not require treatment.

Treatment for gallstones that are causing symptoms includes:

• Medication for gallstones:
• Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol)
• Endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy:
• A flexible, lighted scope reaches the intestine via the esophagus and stomach.
• Gallstones are removed from the gallbladder through the bile duct.
• Lithotripsy for gallstones:
• Gallstones are broken into smaller pieces by subjecting them to high frequency sound waves.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
• The gallbladder is removed through a small incision in the abdomen, using a flexible, lighted scope.
• General cholecystectomy:
• The gallbladder is removed through an incision in the abdomen, without the use of endoscopy.
• Gallstones clinical trials