[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of bile duct stones]

Ten patients with common bile duct stones not removable by endoscopic measures after sphincterotomy were treated by extracorporeally generated shock waves. In 9 patients stones up to 30 mm in diameter were disintegrated. Two patients became free of stone fragments spontaneously within one day and in 7 patients the stone fragments were extracted endoscopically. No complications occurred. Extracorporal shock wave treatment represents a promising alternative to surgery in cases where common bile duct stones cannot be extracted endoscopically.