Tiny tube tested to keep bile ducts clear before gallbladder surgery

This study looked at whether placing a small, temporary plastic tube (called a stent) in the bile duct after doctors successfully remove all stones helps prevent new stones from forming while patients wait for gallbladder removal surgery. Researchers compared 200 patients who either received the stent or did not after their stone removal procedure. The goal was to see if the stent reduces the chance of stones coming back or causing other bile-related problems in the three months before surgery.