[Shockwave lithotripsy in gallbladder and bile duct calculi: indications and results]

Abstract

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy combined with adjuvant litholytic therapy (ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) is a relatively safe and effective noninvasive therapy for selected patients with symptomatic radiolucent gallbladder stones. The best results (80% stone-free patients within 1 year) are obtained with radiolucent solitary stones with a diameter of less than 20 mm. Shock-wave lithotripsy achieves rapid clearance of stones in about 80% of patients with bile duct calculi in whom endoscopic procedures fail.