Long-term outcome after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for gallstones

H. Miyoshi, T. Hattori, K. Kou, M. Katayama, T. Taki, S. Hayakawa, T. Takashima, K. Inui, J. Yoshino, S. Nakazawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed 289 cases followed for a long time after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripy (ESWL) for gallstones. Follow-up periods ranged from 0.5 years to 9.2 years, with a median of 4.1 years. The complete resolution rate was 45.6%. A solitary gallstone, non-calcified gallstones on CT, and Tsuchiya's sonographic type Ia and Ib gallstones were found to be statistically significant variable for resolution of the disease. With a maximum follow-up period of 9 years, the cumulative recurrence rate was 30.7%. Among the 156 patients whose gallstones did not resolve, 70 were symptomatic and the other 86 were asymptomatic. Thirty-eight of the symptomatic patients (54.3%) became symptom-free, while 23 asymptomatic patients (29.1%) became symptomatic. The cumulative rate of occurrence of colic attacks and/or acute cholecystitis was significantly higher in the cases with lithotripsy fragments 4 mm or more in size than in the cases wih fragments 3 mm or less in size (51.8% vs. 16.7%; p<0.05). ESWL was followed by surgery in 23.1% because symptoms developed or became aggravated after ESWL in 58.3% of them. Gallbladder cancer was discovered in one case. Patients undergoing ESWL should be followed by focusing on postoperative recurrence symptoms, and gallbladder cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1349-1356
Number of pages8
JournalJapanese Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume98
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Gastroenterology

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