Vietnamese hospital pioneers laser surgery for bile duct stones with 95% success

Buô̂n Ma Thuột University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Đắk Lắk Province has introduced a new method for treating bile duct stones. Since October 2023, the hospital has used laser lithotripsy through the transhepatic tunnel to remove stones. This technique has already treated about 100 patients with a success rate of over 95%. The hospital’s doctors developed the laser transhepatic tunnel lithotripsy method to address the challenges of gallstone disease. Many patients in Việt Nam suffer from this condition, with 2 to 6 per cent of the population affected and 60 per cent of cases involving the liver. Traditional treatments often required multiple surgeries and did not always resolve the issue completely.

The new technique reduces hospital stays to just two or three days. It also lowers the risk of repeat operations. A 54-year-old patient from Lâm Đồng Province, Trần Thanh H, recently chose this method for his bile duct stones.

The hospital has also focused on advancing other medical techniques. Its team created a gastric endoscopy simulation model for training in submucosal dissection (ESD), a method used for early gastrointestinal cancer treatment. The laser lithotripsy solution won first prize in the provincial Contest of Technical Innovation for 2024-2025, while the endoscopy simulation model received third prize. The hospital continues to train medical staff in advanced procedures like ESD. Its innovations have improved treatment outcomes for patients with complex conditions. The new methods offer shorter recovery times and more effective results for those suffering from gallstone disease.