Biliary tract stones refer to the formation of stones in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, which is the most common bile duct disease. The obstruction of stones in the bile duct causes bile stasis, leading to secondary bacterial infection and the occurrence of acute cholangitis. Recurrent inflammation of the bile duct can cause thickening or scar stenosis of the local duct wall, and bile duct inflammation and stenosis can also promote the formation of stones. The passive expansion of the proximal part of the bile duct stenosis increases the internal pressure. Clinically, patients often have upper right abdominal colic, chills and fever, and jaundice with Charcot's triad. Severe infection can lead to shock and mental abnormalities (Reynolds' pentad), and symptoms that recur over time can lead to biliary cirrhosis, followed by portal hypertension. Cholelithiasis is a common disease in China, with an incidence rate of about10% around, biliary tract stones have a high incidence in South China, especially in rural areas, and the occurrence of the disease is related to bile duct ascaris, bile duct infection, and bile duct obstruction.
Biliary tract stones are characterized by a high incidence, poor stone excretion, and difficulty in dissolving stones, and there is no effective therapy outside of China, which has caused many patients with intrahepatic biliary tract stones to suffer from bile stasis, liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer due to the lack of effective treatment.