Once a doctor has made a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, they will likely recommend certain procedures or surgery to remove the stone or stones blocking the bile duct. The most common procedure for this is called an ERCP with sphincterotomy.

Can choledocholithiasis go away on its own?

Stones may pass spontaneously out of the bile duct on their own. However, when a stone gets stuck in the bile duct, medical intervention is necessary, otherwise inflammation, bacterial infection, and even severe organ damage can occur.

How is choledocholithiasis treated?

Treating choledocholithiasis

fragmenting stones (lithotripsy) surgery to remove the gallbladder and stones (cholecystectomy) surgery that makes a cut into the common bile duct to remove stones or help them pass (sphincterotomy) biliary stenting.