title: Gallstone lithotripsy by extracorporeal shock waves.
abstract: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in combination with adjuvant litholytic therapy using chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid (7 to 8 mg/kg body weight/day of each acid) is a safe and effective, novel nonsurgical approach to gallbladder stones, provided the patients are carefully selected. Experience has shown that patients with a radiolucent solitary stone in a functioning gallbladder are the best candidates. In addition, ESWL is a worthwhile noninvasive alternative to open surgery in patients with bile duct stones in whom routine endoscopic measures have failed.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department II, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sauerbruch
mesh_terms: D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000032:analysis / Q000628:therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol