Biliary Treatment

Biliary Treatment

Biliary

The tests performed vary according to the suspected bile duct disorder. However, tests commonly performed to diagnose many bile duct disorders may include:

Treatment

• Medications/antibiotics: Patients are treated with medications to increase the flow of bile from the liver and antibiotics are used to treat infection.
• Hepatoportoenterostomy: Surgery to drain bile from the liver when bile ducts are blocked.
• Endoscopic retrograde choliangiopancreatography (ERCP): This procedure may help identify and remove gallstones from the bile duct.
• Cholecystectomy: The GW Digestive Disorder Center offers single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomies (removal of the gallbladder). During this procedure, surgeons operates through a single port, located in an incision in the patient's belly button, which has three distinct openings. The flexible port allows the surgeons to operate three laparoscopic instruments simultaneously. This surgery may result in a scar that is invisible or barely visible, compared with traditional laparoscopic surgeries that may leave three to four small but visible scars. Additionally, some patients who have single-incision laparoscopic surgery have shorter hospital stays and use significantly less pain medication.

Prevention

Biliary disorders due to gallstones may be prevented by having the gallbladder surgically removed. The formation of gallstones may also be prevented by eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.