[Extracorporeal piezoelectric gallstone lithotripsy: initial surgical experience with a new treatment. Technique and indications].

The extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) is a new method for non-operative therapy of symptomatic gallbladder and problematic bile duct stones. The rare intrahepatic calculi were similarly disintegrated. Best results were reached with EPL as adjuvant measure or combined with oral cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. EPL compared to other lithotripsy techniques is performed without any analgesia. That means advantage and patient's benefit.