[Extracorporeal lithotripsy--a new possibility in the treatment of gallstones?]

In the submitted review the author presents the results of treatment of cholelithiasis by extracorporeal lithotripsy by shock waves. Provided there is strict selection of patients with 1-3 cholesterol concrements in the gallbladder, treatment is successful in 70-90%. Complications occur in cca one third of the patients, the mortality rate is zero. The author gives criteria for indication which are met by cca 15-20% patients with cholelithiasis. In the discussion the author analyzes possibilities of urgent and preventive lithotripsy of gallstones, the number of relapses and biological effectiveness of shock sound waves, problems of competence and the economic effect of treatment.