[Percutaneous cholecystolithocenosis. Report of 421 cases]

Modified percutaneous cholecystolithocenosis (PCLC) was performed in 421 cases of gallstones. The advantages of this operation included less traumatic, fast convalescence, few complications, and thorough stone clearing. It was suitable for in operatable elder patients. The procedure was safe, and did not produce any incidental injury to the internal organs. The successful rate was 100%. 122 cases were followed up cholecystographically. Gallstones disappeared in 96.8% of the patients and gallbladder function was improved. Follow-up of 57 cases after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) showed that gallstones were broken into small pieces which are feasible to pass through the gallbladder tube.