[Nonsurgical treatment of gallstones]

Lately, nonoperative treatment is being used in high risk patients with gallbladder or bile duct stones. Procedures include oral dissolution, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, mechanical lithotripsy, contact dissolution or extraction after papillotomy or via a T-tube tract. We review nonsurgical treatment of gallstones and present our experience in the treatment of 9 patients using combinations of the above-mentioned modalities.