[Lithiasis of the extrahepatic bile ducts--its diagnosis and treatment]

This is a survey paper assaying the relevance of clinical and laboratory data, and other conventional and currently used methods as well, and their precision in detecting concretions in the biliary apparatus, namely: endoscopic echography, magnetic resonance imaging, ERCP, PTH, CT etc. To increase the rate of concrement demonstration the diagnostic process should proceed intraoperatively by resorting to cholangiography, echography, choledochoscopy and the like. Nonoperative and operative methods of treatment are discussed, with the indications for nonoperative ones (endoscopic, extracorporeal lithotripsy, medicamentous and chemical litholysis) being listed, and their superiorities and side effects during practical implementation established. To improve the results of the latter eventually their combination is required. Various types of operative procedures are described, along with the indications for using them, advantages and shortcomings of each individual method, and practicability of their combined application under definite conditions.