Dormia baskets impacted in the bile duct: release by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

Endoscopic extraction of bile duct stones may be complicated by impaction of the Dormia basket with captured stones, or rupture of the traction wire of the basket during mechanical lithotripsy. In an attempt to release impacted baskets by nonoperative means, we studied the efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy in this dangerous clinical situation.

Fourteen extracorporeal shock-wave treatments were performed in 12 consecutive patients (eight women and four men; mean age 73.2 +/- 13.2 years, range 46-86 years) with an electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotriptor, using fluoroscopy (n = 13) or ultrasound (n = 1) for targeting. A total of 1845 +/- 334 (mean +/- SD) shock-wave discharges at a voltage of 22 +/- 4 kV were delivered per treatment. Nine treatment sessions (64%) were performed while patients were under general anesthesia. An attempt to extract the Dormia basket was made after disintegration of the captured stone had been confirmed by fluoroscopy.

It was possible to remove the Dormia basket by nonsurgical means in 11 of the 12 patients (92%) after one treatment session, and after three treatment sessions in the remaining patient. Thus, disintegration of the stones allowed extraction of the Dormia basket in all patients. None of the patients needed surgical intervention. All patients were rendered free of bile duct stones after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and subsequent endoscopic removal of the fragments. No adverse effects of shock-wave therapy with subsequent extraction of the Dormia baskets were observed.

Shock-wave therapy represents a primary nonsurgical therapeutic option in patients with either impacted Dormia baskets or broken devices which cannot be extracted by endoscopic means.