A NEW study suggests that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may offer an effective nonsurgical treatment for gallstones that develop after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The study indicates that UDCA could help patients avoid additional surgeries following the rapid weight loss associated with LSG.
The retrospective cohort study analysed data from 88 patients who developed gallstones after undergoing LSG between 2017 and 2023. Of these, 51 patients received UDCA treatment, while 37 did not. Researchers examined gallstone dissolution rates and symptom relief, finding that gallstones dissolved in 60% of the patients treated with UDCA. Moreover, symptoms like dyspepsia were significantly reduced in the UDCA group.
The size of the gallstones played a crucial role in treatment success. Stones with a diameter of less than 5 mm were more likely to dissolve with UDCA. In addition to resolving gallstones, UDCA treatment also reduced the number of hospitalizations and emergency visits for gallstone-related symptoms.
Side effects from UDCA were mild and did not necessitate discontinuing treatment, suggesting that UDCA could be a safe alternative to surgery for smaller stones. However, the study authors noted that surgery might still be the better option for larger gallstones that do not respond to UDCA.
“Our findings suggest that UDCA could significantly reduce gallstone-related complications following sleeve gastrectomy,” the researchers concluded. “For patients with smaller stones, UDCA offers a promising nonsurgical option.”
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Buyuker F et al. The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid in dissolving gallstones formed after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: retrospective cohort study. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2025;410:91.
