She Got Rid of Recurrent Stones in the Bile Duct Without Surgery

Nurcan Turaylar, 51, who applied to Prof. Dr. Meltem Ergün in 2023 with severe abdominal pain, was found to have an obstruction in her bile duct during her initial examination and a stent was placed. The patient, who later developed stones in her bile duct, had her gallbladder removed in 2024. When she again applied to Prof. Dr. Ergün approximately two weeks ago with complaints of high fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain, 3-centimeter stones were detected in her bile duct. The patient underwent cholangioscopy and the stones were broken using a laser method. Turaylar, who regained her health, said, "This pain is unlike anything else. The stone that falls into the bile duct causes terrible pain. Thanks to Professor Meltem, there is a new technology; they can break the stones in the bile duct with a laser. I am feeling very well now."
Nurcan Turaylar first applied to Prof. Dr. Meltem Ergün from the Yeditepe University Department of Gastroenterology in 2023 with severe abdominal pain. During her initial examinations, an obstruction was detected in the duct, and a stent was placed as an intervention. However, as her body continued to produce stones again, her gallbladder was surgically removed in 2024. Over time, stones formed again in the patient's bile duct. When she again applied to Prof. Dr. Ergün approximately two weeks ago with high fever, jaundice, and unbearable abdominal pain, the stones in her bile duct were determined to be 3 cm in size. The patient's stones were broken using a laser method with a cholangioscopy procedure, and she regained her health. Prof. Dr. Ergün said, "The method of examining the bile duct by entering it, which we call cholangioscopy, is being performed for the first time at Yeditepe University Hospitals and is performed in very few centers worldwide."

We Entered the Duct and Broke These Stones with a Laser Method

Prof. Dr. Meltem Ergün from the Yeditepe University Department of Gastroenterology said, "Mrs. Nurcan applied to us with complaints of jaundice, yellowing of the face and whites of the eyes, high fever, and abdominal pain. She had had a blood disease for about 15 years, and this condition predisposed her to forming gallstones. About 2 years ago, her gallbladder stones were completely removed surgically along with the gallbladder. Despite this, her attacks continued to recur over time. This time, we detected stones in her bile ducts. We performed several ERCP sessions, cleaned the stones from the bile duct, and placed stents. However, recently, our patient's stones began to become increasingly larger, turning into giant stones. These giant stones, approximately 3 centimeters in size, were too large and hard, like rocks, to be removed with an ERCP procedure. When we thought about what we could do, we decided to perform imaging by entering the bile duct and apply the method of breaking the stones with a laser. This method was a procedure performed for the first time within Yeditepe University Hospitals. We indeed entered the duct and broke these stones with a laser method. After that, our patient's clinical condition improved significantly starting that very evening, and the next day we decided to discharge her; her laboratory values improved. She is currently in very good health."
Prof. Dr. Ergün continued, "The method of examining the bile duct by entering it, which we call cholangioscopy, is being applied for the first time at Yeditepe University Hospitals and is performed in very few centers worldwide. This method shows where technology and medicine are advancing. In recent years, there have been very good developments in medicine regarding endoscopic procedures and interventions on the bile ducts."

This Pain is Unlike Anything Else

Nurcan Turaylar, a 51-year-old mother of one, said, "In 2023, my complaints started with abdominal pain. I had come to Professor Meltem again. She said there were obstructions in my bile duct and a stent was placed. But stones formed again. In 2024, I came to the hospital again with abdominal pain. This time, I was told that my gallbladder needed to be removed because there were too many stones. My gallbladder was removed, and I felt quite relieved. However, during this period, my body continued to produce stones again. Last Monday, I came to the hospital with complaints of jaundice and fever. They intervened immediately. Thanks to Professor Meltem, there is a new technology; they can break the stones in the bile duct with a laser. Our nurses were also very experienced people; I was under constant monitoring. I recovered within a day or two after the procedure. I am feeling very well now. My values are already under control, so I will be discharged soon. This pain is unlike anything else. The stone that falls into the bile duct causes terrible pain. That abdominal pain comes with great severity. When the doctor first asked me how many points out of 10 I would give it, mine was definitely reaching 9 or 10."