[Cholelitholysis and gallbladder diverticula]

Fifty patients with cholesterol stones in their gallbladder, with few symptoms were treated with the bile acids cheno- or ursodeoxycholic acid. 38 had a "normal" gallbladder, 12 had diverticula of the gallbladder. After the complete dissolution of the stones the bile acid treatment was stopped. The follow-up period lasted up to 7 years. No recurrence was observed in the gallbladder of 18 patients, but 32 developed new stones. With a second bile acid treatment we could dissolve the new stones of 13 patients, up to now without further relapses. After the second bile acid treatment of 9 months and x-ray controls 19 patients (38%) developed insoluble material in their gallbladders, independent of the presence of diverticula. We tried to eliminate calcium sediments with cholecystokinin-like substances. Temporary success was achieved in three of five patients only, and one person only remained free of further relapses. There is no reason to exclude patients with cholesterol stones and diverticula of the gallbladder from litholytic therapy.