[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in gallbladder stones: report of 200 cases].

The effect and experience in treating 200 patients having gallbladder stones with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were reported. Traditional Chinese medicine was used in combination in these patients. The overall effective lithotriptic rate was 91%. In a follow-up study of 137 of the cases, the rate of complete disappearance of gallbladder stones was 16.8%, 25.5% and 39.4%, respectively 1, 3, and 6 months after lithotripsy. During treatment, the patients had no remarkable discomfort. The authors consider that the lithotriptic effect is related to the nature, size, morphology and structure of the stones and ESWL is promising non-operative treatment. However, improved instrumentation is necessary for better efficacy of lithotripsy.