• Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Managing Common Bile Duct Stones
• Highlights
• Introduction
• Symptoms
• Prognosis and Complications
• Risk Factors
• Prevention

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Gallstone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be an appropriate therapy for some patients who cannot undergo surgery, but it is no longer widely used. The treatment works best on solitary stones that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter. Less than 15% of patients are good candidates for lithotripsy. The typical procedure is performed as follows:

• The patient sits in a tub of water.
• High-energy, ultrasound shock waves are...