Biliary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: the efficacy and safety of concomitant catheter cholecystostomy during biliary lithotripsy.

The major limitations of biliary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) relate to adequate stone fragmentation and clearance of the stone fragments. We hypothesized the removal of small fragments with concomitant catheter cholecystostomy during ESWL would improve its efficacy. ESWL with aspiration or flushing through three different cholecystostomy catheters was performed on pigs with surgically implanted gallstones. Twenty-two percent and 46% of the pre-ESWL stone weight were aspirated through the 10 and 12 French catheters respectively. The clearance, size, and visualization of fragments was not significantly different between any of the groups. No significant post-mortem tissue or catheter damage was found. Catheter aspiration is a safe and effective method of removing gallstone fragments during biliary ESWL, but it does not improve stone fragmentation, stone clearance, or visualization of other fragments.