Surgical therapy depends on the cause of the bile outflow obstruction:
- For cholelithiasis (gallstones): the surgical procedure of choice is minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). This involves operating through small openings – the abdomen no longer needs to be cut open – which allows for a shorter hospital stay, a lower complication rate and lower costs.
- For stenoses (narrowing) and/or strictures (high-grade narrowing):endoscopic dilatation (widening).
