[Non-surgical treatment of biliary lithiasis]

The usefulness of the treatment of the biliary lithiasis with chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids is discussed, including the selection of patients, optimal doses, adverse effects and recurrence of stones. New treatment with methyl tertiary butyl ether and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is evaluated. Endoscopic procedures, eventually combined with ESWL, represent the preferred treatment for patients with bile duct stones.