Oral dissolution therapy using bile acids has successfully
dissolved gallstones in an extremely limited patient population.
The clinical efiScacy of bile acid therapy was determined
in patients with symptomatic radiolucent gallstones
smaller than 15 mm within a functioning gallbladder. In this
study, a 56 percent reduction in biliary pain was reported
after three months and a mean gallstone dissolution rate
of 59 percent occurred after 12 months of treatment with
10 mg per kg per day of ursodeoxycholic acid. Gallstone
recurrence is a disadvantage of this treatment; approximately
25 percent of patients develop recurrent gallstones within
five years. Presently, bile acid therapy is indicated only for
patients unfit or unwilling to undergo surgery.