[Transperitoneal percutaneous cholecystolithotomy]

Transperitoneal percutaneous cholecystolithotomy is a surgical technique for gallstone removal in the otherwise healthy gallbladder. It is a one-stage, alternative surgical procedure to extracorporeal lithotripsy. ESWL treatment of gallstones permits preservation of the compromised organ but has not been reported to achieve the potential good results. We describe the principles of the technique--similar to that of percutaneous renal surgery--and highlight specific aspects in this condition.