[Lithotripsy of biliary calculi by shock waves. Current possibilities and perspectives]

The extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy can be recommended for the destruction of cholelithiasis in the gallbaldder and in intra- and extrahepatic ducts. For this treatment a strict selection of patients is necessary. Only bile stones composed mainly of cholesterol can be treated. It is better if the gallbladder contains only one stone. The gallbladder has to be anatomically and functionally intact. With this technic of destruction of cholelithiasis associated with litholytic medication a good result can be obtained and about 60% of patients have no cholethiasis after one year.