[Thr role pf extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the removal of common bile duct stones]

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was performed on 4 high risk patients with large common bile duct stones by a Dornier MPL 9000 lithotripter and X-ray positioning. Every patient was treated twice using 2000 shock wave discharges and 21 kV average generator voltage in a single session. Average treatment time was 51 minutes. Desintegration of 3 patients stone was successful and fragments were removed by Dormia basket extraction and by biliary lavage. One out of the four patients stone failed to be desintegrated this patient underwent an operation. Apart from mild fleabite-like petechiae and some atrial and ventricular extrasystoles no other side effects were observed.