EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY OF GALLSTONES - EARLY EXPERIENCE IN AN ISRAELI POPULATION

Fifty-four patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones were treated b y extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and oral bile acids on an outpatient basis. In 49 patients (90%), the stones were successfull y fragmented to fragments < 5 mm on follow-up ultrasonography. Patient s underwent 1-3 lithotripsy sessions with 7,500-9,750 shock waves per session. The gallbladder clearance rate of fragments was dependent mai nly on the number of stones and reached 59% for patients with one or t wo stones, compared to 34% for patients with more than two stones afte r 9 months follow-up. The only side effects noted were mild abdominal pain, transient microscopic hematuria and minimal impairment in liver function tests. There were no serious complications such as cholecysti tis, bile duct obstruction, or pancreatitis. These results, which are comparable with those of other groups using the same shock wave lithot riptor, indicate that this therapy may become an alternative treatment for selected patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones, especially those who are at high risk for surgical treatment.