Biliary Lithotripsy: A Perspective
Authors: Johnson L. Thistle
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1989)

Editorials1 December 1989Biliary Lithotripsy: A PerspectiveJohnson L. Thistle, MD, Bret T. Petersen, MDJohnson L. Thistle, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Bret T. Petersen, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-111-11-868 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe initial reports (1, 2) on gallstone fragmentation using extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy have been received with almost unbridled enthusiasm by some physicians and hospital administrators. Others, however, have viewed the data with considerable skepticism and concern. The technology is exciting, but its potential usefulness is difficult to assess. More than a dozen different lithotriptors have been developed, nine of which are currently being tested under research protocols in 80 medical centers in the United States. None of these devices has yet received the approval of the Food and Drug Administration for biliary lithotripsy.The TechnologyAll lithotriptors fragment gallstones using...References1. SauerbruchDeliusPaumgartner TMG. Fragmentation of gallstones by extracorporeal shock waves. N Engl J Med. 1986;314:818-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. SackmannDeliusSauerbruch MMT. Shock-wave lithotripsy of gallbladder stones: the first 175 patients. N Engl J Med. 1988;318:393-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. BrinkSimeoneMuellerRichterPrienFerrucci JJPJEJ. Physical characteristics of gallstones removed at cholecystectomy: implications for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. AJR. 1988;151:927-31. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. SauerbruchStern TM. Fragmentation of bile duct stones by extracorporeal shock waves. A new approach to biliary calculi after failure of routine endoscopic measures. Gastroenterology. 1989;96:146-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. McSherryFerstenbergCalhounLahmanVirshup CHWEM. The natural history of diagnosed gallstone disease in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Ann Surg. 1985;202:59-63. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. RansohoffGracieWolfensonNeuhauser DWLD. Prophylactic cholecystectomy or expectant management for silent gallstones. A decision analysis to assess survival. Ann Intern Med. 1983;99:199-204. LinkGoogle Scholar7. FriedmanRaviolaFireman GCB. Prognosis of gallstones with mild or no symptoms: 25 years of follow-up in a health maintenance organization. J Clin Epidemiol. 1989;42:127-36. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. PoddaZuinBattezzatiGhezzide FazioDioguardi MMPCCM. Efficacy and safety of a combination of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid for gallstone dissolution: a comparison with ursodeoxycholic acid alone. Gastroenterology. 1989;96:222-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. ThistleMayBender JGC. Dissolution of cholesterol gallbladder stones using methyl tert-butyl ether administered by percutaneous transhepatic catheter. N Engl J Med. 1989;320:663-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. PeinePetersenWilliams CBH. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and methyl tert-butyl ether for partially calcified gallstones. Gastroenterology. 1989;97:1229-35. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. KellettWickhamRussell MJR. Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy. Br Med J [Clin Res]. 1988;296:453-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. InuiNakazawaNaitoKano KSYJ. Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystoscopy and biliary endoscopic lithotripsy. Indian J Gastroenterol. 1989;8:13-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar13. DuboisBerthelotLevard FGH. Cholecystectomy by coelioscopy. Presse Med. 1989;18:980-2. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Mayo Medical School Rochester, Minnesota PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByExtracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and ursodiol versus ursodiol alone in the treatment of gallstonesTreatment of Symptomatic Cholelithiasis in France: A Decision Analysis Comparing Cholecystectomy and Biliary Lithotripsy 1 December 1989Volume 111, Issue 11Page: 868-870KeywordsFood and Drug Administration Issue Published: 1 December 1989 PDF DownloadLoading ...