Low early gallstone recurrence rate after successful extracorporeal lithotripsy in patients with solitary stones.

Piezoelectric lithotripsy with the EDAP LT-01 machine combined with adjuvant bile acid therapy results in complete clearance of radiolucent gallstones in selected patients. We assessed stone recurrence rate in 84 patients with complete clearance of stone fragments and followed up at least 12 months after cessation of bile acid therapy (mean 17 months, range 12-33). Fifty-four patients had a solitary stone and 30 multiple stones. Bile acid therapy was continued for 3 months after complete fragment stones clearance which was ascertained by two consecutive ultrasound examinations. Stone recurrence was assessed by ultrasonography at 6 and 12 months, and then at least once a year. Gallstone recurrence occurred in 5 patients (6%) between 9 and 12 months with no further recurrence up to 33 months. The rate of recurrence at one year was 3.7% in patients with a solitary stone and 10% in patients with multiple stones. Only one patient with stone recurrence had recurrent biliary pain. We concluded that early gallstone recurrence rate after successful lithotripsy seems to be low in patients with solitary stones.