• Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Prognosis
• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors
• Prevention
• Diagnosis

Prognosis and Complications

Gallstones that do not cause symptoms rarely lead to problems. Death, even from gallstones with symptoms, is very rare. Serious complications are also rare. If they do occur, complications usually develop from stones in the bile duct, or after surgery.

Gallstones, however, can cause obstruction at any point along the ducts that carry bile. In such cases, symptoms can develop.

• In most cases of obstruction, the stones block the cystic duct, which leads from the...