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[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for gallstones]
A Barzilai1, A Eitan, D S Duek
1Dept. of Surgery A, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa.
Harefuah
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Gallstone lithotripsy combined with oral dissolution therapy offers a successful non-surgical option for symptomatic gallstones. This treatment achieved a stone-free rate of 85.8% after one year in a clinical study.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatobiliary Medicine
- Medical Technology
Context:
- Biliary stone disease, particularly gallstones, affects 15-20% of adults in Western societies.
- While many gallstone cases are asymptomatic, a significant portion develop symptoms over time.
- Cholecystectomy has been the traditional treatment, but newer options are emerging.
Purpose:
- To summarize the rationale, indications, and complications of lithotripsy for gallstones.
- To present the results of lithotripsy combined with oral dissolution therapy from international experience and a local study.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this combined treatment approach in patients with symptomatic gallstones.
Summary:
- Lithotripsy achieved immediate fragmentation in 90.3% of patients.
- Complete gallstone dissolution rates were 20% at 1 month, 38.5% at 3 months, and 61.6% at 6 months.
- After one year, 85.8% of patients treated with lithotripsy and oral dissolution were stone-free.
Impact:
- Lithotripsy and oral dissolution represent a viable, less invasive treatment option for select patients with symptomatic gallstones.
- This approach offers an alternative to surgery, potentially reducing patient morbidity.
- The findings support the integration of lithotripsy into the management of gallstone disease.