Lithotripsy of gallbladder stones in 1992: Improved indications and actual results

ESWL of gallbladder stones and subsequent adjuvant oral dissolution is a safe and comfortable therapy of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. This method is limited on highly selected 10 to 15% of patients. Recent experience indicates that the ideal indication is given in patients with radiolucent solitary gallstones (diameter ≤2 cm) which are harboured in a gallbladder with unimpaired contractility. 1 year after ESWL 80% of those patients present with a stone free gallbladder. Computed tomography of gallstones may probably improve selection of patients and therapeutic success.