Is surgery required to treat the signs and symptoms of gallstones?

Surgery is not always required to treat the signs and symptoms of gallstones, according to WebMD. Surgery is the most common treatment, but other methods may be used.

If the symptoms of gallstones are not severe, the doctor may just take a watch-and-wait approach. If the symptoms become too painful for the patient, the doctor may attempt to remove the stones through a non-surgical treatment. This is done by inserting a tube down the bile duct and extracting the stones. Medications can also be used, and the type varies depending on the doctor. Only a doctor should treat gallstones.