Additional Gallstone Removal in Turkey
Add-on procedure for bile duct stones found during your gallbladder surgery. From £961.
During gallbladder removal surgery, your surgeon may discover that gallstones have moved from the gallbladder into the bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. These stones need to be removed to prevent blockage, which could cause jaundice, infection, or pancreatitis.
This add-on procedure allows your surgeon to remove bile duct stones during the same operation, avoiding the need for a separate ERCP (endoscopic procedure) or a second surgery. It is only performed when necessary and is added to your primary gallbladder surgery package.
The add-on price of £961 covers the additional surgical time and techniques required to locate and extract the bile duct stones.
What Is Additional Gallstone Removal?
Additional gallstone removal refers to the extraction of gallstones that have migrated from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. During a standard cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), your surgeon may perform an intraoperative cholangiogram, an X-ray using contrast dye injected into the bile duct, to check for stones.
If stones are found in the bile duct, they can often be retrieved during the same procedure using specialised instruments passed through the laparoscopic ports. In some cases, a small balloon catheter is used to sweep the duct clear, or a tiny basket instrument captures and extracts the stones.
Alternatively, if the stones cannot be removed laparoscopically, your surgeon may arrange an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), a separate endoscopic procedure, to remove them. Your surgeon will determine the safest approach based on the size and location of the stones.
This is an add-on to gallbladder surgery, not a standalone procedure.
Am I Suitable?
This add-on is relevant when bile duct stones are discovered during your gallbladder surgery.
This may apply to you if:
- Your pre-operative blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes (suggesting possible bile duct stones)
- Imaging before surgery showed dilated bile ducts
- Your surgeon finds bile duct stones during intraoperative cholangiography
Important to know:
- Not all gallbladder surgery patients require this, it is only performed when stones are found in the bile duct
- Your surgeon makes the decision during the operation based on imaging findings
- The goal is to clear the bile duct completely to prevent future complications
What Happens During the Procedure?
The bile duct stone removal is performed during your gallbladder surgery.
During surgery
While performing your cholecystectomy, your surgeon injects contrast dye into the bile duct and takes an X-ray (cholangiogram) to check for stones. If stones are identified, they are removed using specialised instruments, typically a balloon catheter or retrieval basket, through the existing laparoscopic incisions.
After surgery
Your recovery follows the same timeline as standard gallbladder removal. Your surgeon may order follow-up blood tests to confirm the bile duct is clear and liver function is returning to normal.
Hospital stay
No additional hospital stay is required beyond your planned gallbladder surgery stay.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery is the same as for standard gallbladder surgery. You may have a slightly longer procedure time, but the recovery timeline is unchanged.
Days 1-3 (hospital): Monitored recovery with pain management. Blood tests may be repeated to check liver function.
Weeks 1-2: Gradual return to normal activities. Follow the same dietary guidance as standard gallbladder removal, starting with light, low-fat foods.
Weeks 2-4: Progressive return to normal diet and activities.
Risks & Considerations
The additional bile duct exploration adds a small amount of risk to the standard cholecystectomy.
Specific risks of bile duct exploration:
- Bile duct injury (rare but more significant during duct exploration)
- Retained stones (some stones may be difficult to retrieve and require a follow-up ERCP)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas from instrumentation near the bile duct, uncommon)
Standard cholecystectomy risks also apply (infection, bleeding, conversion to open surgery).
Your surgeon is experienced in bile duct procedures and will only proceed with exploration when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
UK vs Turkey: What You Save
UK prices are indicative ranges based on private healthcare providers. Your THST price is confirmed during your free consultation.
UK Aftercare: We Are Here When You Get Home
Unlike other medical tourism companies, we do not leave you on your own once you are back in the UK. We have two dedicated aftercare clinics staffed by NHS-registered wound care specialists, so you can see a professional face-to-face for wound checks, dressing changes, and recovery support.
Medical disclaimer: Results of any surgical or interventional procedure may vary from person to person. You are advised to consult your physician for detailed information before undergoing any procedure. The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. See our Medical Disclaimer for full details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Approximately 10-15% of patients with gallstones also have stones in the bile duct. This is more likely if you have had episodes of jaundice, abnormal liver function tests, or if imaging has shown a dilated bile duct. Your surgeon checks for this during the operation to ensure all stones are addressed in a single procedure.
If the stones are too large or too difficult to retrieve laparoscopically, your surgeon may arrange an ERCP, an endoscopic procedure where a flexible camera is passed through your mouth into the duodenum to access the bile duct from the inside. This is a well-established technique for bile duct stone removal and can usually be performed the following day.
Generally not significantly. The bile duct exploration adds some time to the surgery itself, but the recovery timeline remains similar to standard gallbladder removal. Your surgeon may keep you in hospital for an extra day if they want to monitor liver function more closely, but most patients follow the same discharge timeline.
Pre-operative blood tests and ultrasound can suggest the presence of bile duct stones, but they cannot always confirm them. Some small stones are only visible during the operation itself. The fact that your surgeon checks for and removes these stones during surgery is actually a benefit, it prevents future complications like jaundice or pancreatitis that untreated bile duct stones could cause.
No. The additional gallstone removal is only charged if stones are actually found and removed from the bile duct during your operation. The routine cholangiogram (X-ray check) is part of the standard gallbladder surgery procedure. You are only charged the add-on fee if additional intervention is needed.
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