A New Strategy for Gallstone Expulsion Through Dietary Therapy: A Prospective, Single-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Gallstones are a common health issue, and their occurrence has been increasing worldwide. This research aims to evaluate whether dietary therapy can help in expelling early-stage gallstones, specifically those present in a sludge-like form, which currently lack effective treatment options. The trial is a double-blind, prospective study conducted at a single medical center to investigate this question. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either functional fatty acids or a placebo orally. The treatment period lasts six days, with the experimental group taking functional fatty acids throughout. The placebo group receives placebo for the first three days, followed by functional fatty acids for the next three days. This design allows comparison of gallstone expulsion effectiveness between the groups. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including sonographic evaluation of gallbladder sludge expulsion after three and six days, as well as measurements of gallbladder volume and wall thickness. Researchers will also monitor blood bilirubin levels and observe any post-intervention symptoms such as abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The study period and follow-up span up to two weeks, ensuring thorough safety and outcome monitoring.

A Strategy for Gallstone Expulsion Through Dietary Therapy