Use of the pulsed dye laser and ultrasonic lithotriptor for removal of multiple intrahepatic gallstones.

Two established urologic modalities used for removal of kidney stones were applied in a complementary manner for percutaneous transhepatic removal of multiple intrahepatic gallstones. A pulsed dye laser was used through a flexible nephroscope to fragment a large impacted stone. A stone basket was used to remove stone fragments and a few small entrapped stones. Subsequently, an ultrasonic lithotriptor carried by a rigid nephroscope was tried and found to be a much more efficient means of removing the remaining small stones.