Good Afternoon, This Inquiry Is Regarding My 73 Year Old

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2020

Question: Good Afternoon, This inquiry is regarding my 73 year old mom. She has primary billiary cirrhosis. She has had a laparoscopy done to remove a stone obstructing her bile duct this year around March 2020, she now has a large stone inside of her actual liver. Is this a dangerous surgery for her, especially at her age. Also pls note that she was fine December 2019, and all of a sudden in 2020 her health has deteriorated quickly and she has lost alot of weight. She weighed around 140 and now she is at 110. I understand this surgery needs to be done as she is already showing the similar symptoms from before (alot of itching all over her body and scratching) due to liver blockage. But now this stone is inside of her liver and they need to cut her liver open?? Can this truly be done safely? Please advise as i do not want to lose my mom, i am very attached to her and if there is another method i would love to hear it. Thank you kindly. her surgery is due to take place on 9/28/20

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Was she considered for ERCP?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear what your mom is going through. I understand you are much attached to her and certainly would love to see all done.

Stones in the liver are primarily removed by way of ERCP(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). This entails putting a tube through the mouth and navigating all the way to the liver to retrieve the stone. This is the primary approach and not surgery. I will like that you expressly ask why this is not used. Surgery is never the primary approach.

I hope these guides and helps.
I will like to hear what the doctors provide as a response as to why she is not being considered for ERCP.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)

Thank you so so much for your reply..you are correct and it turns out that this is what the procedure will be. She just let me know Tonite and I read up on it.

Thank you so much!!!

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (32 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I wish her a safe procedure!!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the updates.

I wish her a safe procedure. Feel free to keep me updated with her progress.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng