Burnett D, Ertan A, Jones R, O'Leary JP, Mackie R, Robinson JE, Salen G, Stahlgren L, Van Thiel DH, Vassy L. Use of external shock-wave lithotripsy and adjuvant ursodiol for treatment of radiolucent gallstones. A national multicenter study.
Dig Dis Sci 1989;
34:1011-5. [PMID:
2663386 DOI:
10.1007/bf01536365]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A prospective multicenter trial was performed to evaluate the use of external shockwave lithotripsy (ESL) and adjuvant medical therapy for the treatment of gallstones. A Medstone STS lithotripter was used together with ursodiol. Two hundred twenty-three patients were treated under general anesthesia (75%) or with intravenous analgesia (25%). Initial treatments were on an inpatient basis, but as centers gained experience, outpatient treatments became more common. Stone fragmentation and clearance were greatest in patients with solitary gallstones less than 2 cm in diameter. In this group of patients, stone fragmentation occurred in 97% of patients, and the cumulative stone-free rates at three and six months were 54% and 90%, respectively. These results indicate that fragmentation of gallstones can be achieved by a dry shock-wave lithotripter and that stone clearance is induced more rapidly by external shock-wave lithotripsy and adjuvant ursodiol therapy than by ursodiol therapy alone.
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