[Lithotripsy of gallbladder calculi with extracorporeal shockwaves]

Two hundred and sixty two patients with gallbladder stones were prospectively evaluated at the Biliary Lithiasis Treatment Unit of the Mater Dei Hospital, Belo Horizonte, MG., and 45 (17.5%) were selected for extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy (ECSWL). From these, 32 were submitted to the procedure. One stone was present in 30 patients, 2 stones in another and 1 patient had 3 stones. The mean diameter was 14.7 mm ranging from 8 to 28 mm. ECSWL was preceded by 1 week course of ursodeoxycholic acid (8 to 10 mg/dk/day) and this medication was continued after the procedure. ECSWL was done with the Lithosthar-Plus apparatus (Siemens). Meperidine (up to 100 mg) IM and pirazolene IV was given when necessary. The intensity of the shock waves was gradually increased to a maximum (9 bar) whenever tolerated. The treatment was well succeeded in 22 cases (71%) with pulverization in 12 (38.7%). In 9 patients (29%) remaining fragments were greater than 4 mm. From these, 3 were submitted to a second session of ECSWL. In 1 patient the stone could not be properly positioned for lithotripsy. The mean number of shock waves was 2,591, ranging from 801 to 4,411. The mean duration of the sessions was 80 min, ranging from 45 to 150 min. In 3 patients, a complete disappearance of fragments was observed in intervals of 1 to 6 months after the procedure. One patient had severe pain during ECSWL and developed acute cholecystitis. One patient had sinus bradycardia. One patient with total stone pulverization, become jaundiced 1 month after ECSWL and a gallbladder carcinoma was found at surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)