Treatment of Symptomatic Gallstones with Chinese Herbs

Abstract

Purpose: Introduction: The best therapy for symptomatic gallstones is considered to be surgical, preferably with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dissolution is considered in patients who cannot tolerate, or refuse, surgery. We present a case of young gentleman who opted alternative medical treatment using chinese herbs successfully. Methods: Case: We are presenting a case of 37 year old male of chinese descent with 6 month history of epigastric/right upper quadrant pain, bloating, gas and dyspepsia. He had an ultrasound done that suggested multiple small mobile gallstones. He consulted a surgeon and was recommended to have cholecystectomy. He was highly skeptical to have surgery, and decided to take Chinese herbal treatment. He received four 15 day sessions, for a total of 60 days. Each session consisted of ½ gallon tea and 42 pills daily. The tea was made in ½ gallon boiling water to be mixed with multiple tea bags including full body cleansing tea, liver formula tea, bladder formula tea, and organic honey. The pills included kidney tonic I, ureter formula, spleen tonic, pancreas formula, liver tonic and stomach formula. The 1st and 2nd sessions were identical. The 3rd and 4th session had a minor change where origanum tea was added and honey was increased. After completion of this therapy, his GI symptoms improved. A repeat ultrasound revealed no further evidence of gallstones. Results: Discussion: The primary treatment of symptomatic gallstones is surgical. Medical therapy is considered in patients who cannot tolerate, or refuse, surgery. Non- surgical treatment consist of oral bile salt dissolution or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Medical management is rarely used because of duration of treatment needed and the high risk of recurrence. Use of ESWL is extremely rare. The most frequently used medicine is UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic acid). The success rate is variable and the duration of treatment may be long, lasting up to 12-24 months. We present a case where Chinese herbal treatment was utilized by the patient that resulted in dissolution of stones within 60 days. Conclusion: Symptomatic gallstone disease is very common. Surgical treatment is the mainstay of therapy. The incidence of gallstone disease is likely to rise in the country in view of the changing population dynamics and increasing obesity. The rising health care cost will make is difficult to cope with escalating demand for cholecystectomies. Medical management of selected cases of symptomatic cholelithiasis need to be studied further. A combined research effort by conventional evidence based medicine with alternative medicine may prove to be helpful in finding novel treatment modalities.