Gall-stone dissolution treatment using cholelitholytic bile acids: experience with 24 patients.

Twenty-four patients with radiolucent gall stones were treated with cholelitholytic bile acids. Complete gall-stone dissolution was achieved in 8 patients (33%) and partial dissolution in 3 patients (13%). Therapy was never successful for large gall stones (greater than 15 mm). Even in the group of patients with very small stones (less than or equal to 5 mm) complete dissolution was obtained in only 47% of cases. Patients with atypical abdominal complaints or without symptoms never developed biliary pain or colic nor did their symptoms improve during therapy. On the contrary, 3 of 6 patients with previous biliary pain or colic had to be operated because of recurrence during therapy.