[Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of gallstones. Retrospective view and perspectives]

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive technique in gallstone management, which has been in clinical use since many years now. Exact patient selection provides considerable stone-free rates within a year. Side effects and complications are rare. The stone-recurrence rate is about 15% after two years, and thus lower compared to that after oral dissolution therapy alone. Until now, there is no reasonable medical therapy to prevent stone recurrence. Furthermore, ESWL is a suitable therapy for retained common bile duct stones. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become established as a new, minimally invasive surgical method, ESWL will continue to be a successful technique for the treatment of thoroughly selected gallstone patients, who are looking for a non-invasive way to get rid of their biliary pain, but not of their gall bladder.