Yaz And Gallstones: ERCP For Removing Common Bile Duct Stones

One of the Yaz gallbladder symptoms involves the formation of gallstones. Yaz is suspected of raising the cholesterol level in the liver while simultaneously reducing the activity of the gallbladder. The excess cholesterol moves out of the liver through the secretion of bile. The bile flows into the gall bladder where it remains until it is released to aid in the digestion process. Women taking Yaz have experienced an inflamed gallbladder causing extreme pain.

Your gallbladder normally regulates the amount of cholesterol in the bile fluid by absorbing it into its wall. When there is an excess, it creates an imbalance and it cannot be absorbed properly. What’s more, Yaz birth control pills are thought to lessen the frequency of contractions in your gallbladder. That prevents the organ from emptying its bile content into the cystic duct. The cholesterol eventually begins to crystallize (a process called supersaturation) inside the gallbladder and form Yaz gallstones.

Stones can remain within the gall bladder and cause inflammation and infection. They can also migrate into the common bile duct. Below, I’ll describe the potential complications that can arise from bile duct stones. You’ll also learn how a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to identify and remove them.

Yaz Gallbladder Symptoms

The two most significant dangers of Yaz gallstones within the common bile duct are infection and pancreatitis. Infection within the bile duct is called cholangitis. If it is diagnosed early enough, your doctor may be able to control it by administering antibiotics. However, antibiotics fail to clear up infection in one out of four cases. If the infection spreads, it can become potentially life-threatening.

With pancreatitis, stones can migrate to the lower portion of the common bile duct and block the pancreatic duct. Normally, digestive enzymes travel through the pancreatic duct en route to the duodenum. Trapped in the duct, these enzymes begin to attack the pancreas, causing inflammation. Like infection, pancreatitis can be fatal if it is not treated.

ERCP For Yaz Gallstones In The Bile Duct

Years ago, stones in the bile duct prompted surgeons to perform open cholecystectomy (i.e. gallbladder removal surgery). During the operation, the surgeon would explore the common bile duct for gallstones, removing any that were found. The procedure was invasive and required a long abdominal incision.

Today, doctors can perform ERCP to locate and remove bile duct stones. This strategy is far less invasive than open cholecystectomy. During the procedure, an endoscope is inserted through the throat into the common bile duct. The endoscope is equipped with a tiny camera that transmits images that help the doctor explore the area. A small tube is threaded through the scope into the duct, and a special dye is released. The dye allows X-rays to be taken of the duct, which helps the doctor to identify gallstones.

Once the stones are located, surgical instruments can be threaded through the endoscope into the bile duct to remove them.

Even through ERCP can help you avoid gallbladder removal surgery (when stones are exclusive to the bile duct), there are risks associated with the procedure. Potential complications include pancreatitis, infection, perforation of the bile duct or duodenum, and even damage to the bowel. While antibiotics may be able to control the spread of infection, pancreatitis and damage to the organs must be addressed with surgery.

The connection between Yaz and gallstones is alarming. Healthy women who have never experienced stones have developed them after taking this birth control pill. If you have suffered gallbladder disease or gallstones after using Yaz oral contraceptives, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz attorney to discuss your case including filing a Yaz gallbladder disease lawsuit.