experts in treating gallstones & bile duct stones
Our Services
Diagnostics
The Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare Private Care has access to the full spectrum of investigations and tests required to diagnose and treat all gallstone related conditions. This includes all blood tests, imaging (most commonly ultrasound, MRI and CT scans), and pre-operative assessment tests.
We are also able to image and assess the bile duct during gallbladder removal surgery (known as an intra-operative cholangiogram) to see if any stones have migrated from the gallbladder into the common bile duct (CBD). Common bile duct stones may cause a variety of serious complications such as jaundice, sepsis or pancreatitis.
Gallbladder removal
Stones within the gallbladder are called gallstones (also known as cholelithiasis). The primary treatment for gallstones is keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery to remove the gallbladder (also known as cholecystectomy), especially if the gallstones are causing symptoms (such as pain) or other complications. Once symptoms appear they usually continue to occur. Although other treatments have been tried to dissolve or breakdown gallstones, removing the gallbladder is the only satisfactory method. Click here to read an updated article on minimally invasive keyhole surgery for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
Most people lead normal lives without a gallbladder as the liver will continue to make bile which will flow directly into the intestine via the common bile duct.
Common Bile Duct stones
Common Bile Duct (CBD) stones (also known as choledocholithiasis) are stones within the bile duct, which have usually migrated from the gallbladder. Some stones may pass on their own from the bile duct to the intestine, but often these stones will cause further complications such as jaundice, sepsis or pancreatitis and will therefore need to be removed as well as the gallbladder.
At Gallstone Surgery London, our highly specialized surgeon is internationally renowned for the single-stage treatment of common bile duct stones with concurrent gallstones by performing keyhole surgery to extract common bile duct stones at the time of gallbladder removal (Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration [LCBDE] with cholecystectomy).
Our Philosophy
Our team comprises leading experts dedicated to delivering exceptional care through advanced medical procedures for all gallstone related conditions. We prioritize patient well-being, emphasizing precision and expertise in every aspect of treatment.
At Gallstone Surgery London, we passionately believe that all gallstone related surgical treatments, including those for common bile duct stones, should be managed in a single-stage by ONE TEAM, in ONE PLACE at ONE TIME. This requires expertise in gallbladder removal by keyhole surgery as well as being able to assess the common bile duct during the operation for any stones that have migrated from the gallbladder. If these are present, our team will be prepared to extract and clear all stones from the bile duct at the same time as gallbladder removal (Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration [LCBDE] with cholecystectomy).
The alternative approach requires treatment to be completed in two-stages at different times: first an endoscopy (a camera is inserted through the mouth and down the throat into the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine) is performed to remove any stones from the bile duct, followed by keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).
Extensive research comparing these two strategies has consistently demonstrated reduced risk of complications, reduced number of hospital admissions, reduced length of hospital stay, reduced cost and increased patient satisfaction in favour of the single-stage approach with Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) with cholecystectomy.
Mr Navaratne has written the only textbook dedicated to Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) for the management of common bile duct stones at the time of gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
Why Choose Us?
Mr Lalin Navaratne has an international reputation for the surgery of gallstones and common bile duct stones and maintains a high-volume practice in laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College Healthcare Private Care (The Lindo Wing).
Mr Lalin Navaratne successfully completes gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) by keyhole surgery in over 99% of patients (i.e., conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery in less than 1% of patients) and his success rate in clearing all common bile duct (CBD) stones by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic common bile duct exploration) is over 98%.
Our Location
The Lindo Wing
St Mary’s Hospital
South Wharf Road
London, W2 1PG
Hours
Monday–Friday
8am–6pm
Phone
+447463937415
Email
info@gallstonesurgerylondon.com
Funding your care
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We work with the majority of insurance companies including: Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, Allianz, WPA, Alliance Health Corporate, Simply health, Standard life, Cigna and Healix.
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA patients are fee assured and will not pay an excess / generate a shortfall.
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The initial consultation fee is £250. Once your treatment plan has been confirmed, our team will provide you with a quote without obligation which will include an estimate of all the hospital costs and clinician (surgeon and anaesthetist) fees. If you decide to entrust us with your surgery, the initial consultation fee will be deducted from the package price for the operation. All follow-up consultation fees are included in the package price for the operation and will therefore not incur further cost.
Mr Navaratne’s
Bupa profile