New alternatives in gallstone treatment.
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.
Graffis
R
R
Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis 46202.
Jordan
L
L
Lingeman
J E
JE
Moster
M B
MB
D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans