| Abstract: |
Extracorporeal (outside the body) shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a treatment for gallstones that preserves the gallbladder. Problems after ESWL treatment can include stone recurrence and the development of biliary symptoms. This article reports on a study of 262 patients with cholesterol type gallstones (the best indication for ESWL treatment) who underwent ESWL and 42 control patients with cholesterol type gallstones who received no treatment. The authors evaluated the factors associated with recurrence of gallstones after stone clearance and the development of biliary symptoms after ESWL treatment. The 3, 5, and 7 year cumulative probabilities of gallstone recurrent were 20.6, 27.1, and 33.1 percent, respectively, with the recurrence probability significantly lower in patients with good gallbladder contractility. In patients with recurrence, treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, given orally) was effective. In 69 patients with residual gallstones, the 3, 5, and 7 year cumulative risks of biliary symptoms were 17.3, 24.9, and 30.5 percent, respectively. With residual gallstones, the risk of biliary symptoms developing was significantly lower in patients with a smaller than 3 mm fragment size at the end of ESWL treatment and in those treated consistently with UDCA for 6 months or more after treatment with ESWL. The risk of biliary symptoms was significantly lower in ESWL treated patients with residual stones who had a less than 3 mm fragment size after treatment, compared with control patients. The authors conclude that UDCA was effective in clearing stones in patients with gallstone recurrence. In patients with residual stones, the fragmentation of stones to less than 3 mm and UDCA administration effectively reduced the risk of subsequent biliary symptoms. 3 figures. 4 tables. 18 references. |