[Current problems in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cholelithiasis in flight personnel]

In 50% of afflicted pilots, cholelithiasis is asymptotic and develops with the minimum anatomicomorphological changes of the biliary system. An early diagnostics of cholelithiasis in the pilots will enable one to treat them timely with the aim of returning the pilots to flying activity in the future. The introduction of nonsurgical treatment methods into the clinical practice with an application of distance shock-wave cholelithotripsy will elevate the percentage of pilots returning to flying activities. A need for developing domestic special devices for cholelithotripsy is ripe.