title: New alternatives in gallstone treatment.
abstract: Within the past few years, a number of new treatment modalities for gallbladder stones have become available. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proved as safe as traditional surgical cholecystectomy, without the discomfort and lengthy recuperation associated with a large abdominal incision. Several other new treatments also have been investigated, including percutaneous cholecystolithotomy, peroral drug chemolysis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and methyl-tert-butyl ether lavage. The relative merits and disadvantages of these treatments, compared to each other and to standard cholecystectomy, are described herein.
authors.affiliation: Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis 46202.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Graffis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lingeman
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Moster
mesh_terms: D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans