BILIARY SLUDGE AS THE INITIAL STAGE OF CHOLELITHIASIS. THERAPY AND PREVENTION

Abstract

The results of domestic epidemiological studies on the prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD) indicate that it amounts to 10–15% of the adult population. The frequency increases in young adults and even in children [1]. The effectiveness of conservative therapy, despite certain achievements in this area remains low. Analysis of the results of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with GSD showed that complete dissolution of stones in different periods occurred in 77 of 210 patients (36%) and dissolution in part – in 55 (26%) [2]. According to our data, dissolution of small (<5 mm) stones is more effective (71,5%) [5]. In general, the causes of the low efficiency lies in the long duration of treatment, its high costs and relatively low compliance of patients.

Keywords

• cholelithiasis
• biliary sludge
• cholelithiasis risk factors
• therapy
• ursodeoxycholic acid
• exhol