Percutaneous techniques for the management of symptomatic gallbladder stones

Several non-operative treatments for the management of patients with symptomatic gallstones have been developed with the purpose of avoiding the considerable morbidity associated with open cholecystectomy. Minimally invasive techniques utilizing direct percutaneous puncture of the gallbladder are being increasingly used for the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder disease and are the subject of this review. With the emergence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy the role of these techniques is less certain but they are likely to continue to be important in the management of high risk, elderly or medically unfit patients.