LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR GALLBLADDER STONES AND THE PLACE OF INTRACORPOREAL LITHOTRIPSY

An ultrasonic lithotriptor (U.S. Olympus) introduced into the gallbladder under visual control of a laparoscope permits fragmentation of the stones and complete clearance of the gallbladder in one session of 10–20 min. The empty, clean gallbladder can be drained (cholecystostomy) or removed (cholecystectomy) by passing it through an 8–10 mm orifice of the abdominal wall. A series of 18 cholecystostomies and 200 cholecystectomies shows that intracorporeal lithotripsy prior to these procedures is efficient, safe, and elegant. It is the guarantee of a real laparoscopic procedure in cases of cholecystectomy. © 1990, Springer-Verlag. All rights reserved.