Dietary therapy for gallstone expulsion
Official title: A New Strategy for Gallstone Expulsion Through Dietary Therapy: A Prospective, Single-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province · NCT06699030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a special diet can help people get rid of small gallstones without surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lanzhou, Gansu) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 24, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | December 31, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06699030 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are individuals with gallbladder sludge-like stones measuring less than 2 mm in diameter.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of gallstone removal surgery, significant gastrointestinal disorders, or other serious health conditions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of dietary therapy in expelling gallstones, specifically targeting gallbladder sludge-like stones with a diameter of less than 2 mm. Conducted as a double-blind, prospective, single-center controlled trial at a tertiary hospital, the study aims to determine if functional fatty acids can facilitate the expulsion of these stones compared to a placebo. The trial addresses a significant gap in current treatment options, as there is limited research on non-surgical methods for gallstone management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive dietary approach to managing gallstones, potentially reducing the need for surgical interventions.
How similar studies have gone: While dietary approaches for gallstone management are not extensively studied, this trial explores a novel method that has not been previously validated.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Gallbladder sludge-like stones with a maximum stone diameter of less than 2 mm Exclusion Criteria: * History of ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) * Previous gallstone removal surgery with gallbladder preservation * History of acute or chronic pancreatitis, cholangitis * Mirizzi Syndrome * History of gastrointestinal surgery * Gastrointestinal obstruction * Dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi * Gallbladder neck polyps * Abnormal gallbladder structure * Gallbladder mass * Biliary infection or stones * Congenital biliary abnormalities * Biliary injury or surgery * Biliary tumors * Gastrointestinal bleeding, liver cirrhosis, or other malignant diseases * Significant arrhythmia, bradycardia, or atrioventricular block * Severe hypertension, liver or kidney insufficiency * Immune, endocrine, hematological, or mental disorders * Severe cerebrovascular disease * Allergy to relevant foods * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Unwillingness or inability to consent to participation
Where it's running
-
Long Deng
Lanzhou, Gansu, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Wenbo Meng, M.D. — Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province
- Study coordinator: Wenbo Meng, M.D.
- Email: mengwb@lzu.edu.cn
- Phone: 13919177177
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.