title: [Endotherapy of gallstones].
abstract: Choledocholithiasis is treated endoscopically by papillotomy and subsequent stone extraction. In 10% of cases this procedure does not succeed. mechanical lithotripsy has reached the stage of clinical applicability, it can be performed easily, has a high success rate, and equipment is relatively inexpensive. Alternative methods are electrohydraulic lithotripsy and chemical litholysis. Laser-, ultrasound- and jet-cutting-lithotripsy are still in a developmental stage, the latter two methods not yet having been applied in man. Endoscopic probing of the gall bladder for stone extraction or chemical litholysis with methyl-tert-butyl aether up to now have succeeded only in very few cases. Therapy of gall bladder stones by pulsed waves is already in clinical testing.
mesh_terms: D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000628:therapy*; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D042882:Gallstones / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Endotherapie von Gallensteinen.