[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy].

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in 84 patients with gallbladder stones. The gallstones completely disappeared within 12 months after ESWL, in 31% of the patients with one to three radiolucent stones not larger than 3 cm in diameter and in 57% of the patients with a solitary stone up to 2 cm with the ultrasonographic gallstone pattern of I a or I b. There was no major complication. ESWL is a safe and effective treatment in selected patients with a solitary radiolucent stone not larger than 2 cm with I a or I b pattern.