Abstract
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones involves a two-step process: fragmentation of calculi through shock-wave application, and, disappearance of fragments from the gallbladder. The propose of our study was to elucidate the mechanism of fragment disappearance. So,144patients (99 radiolucent and 45 radiopaque) were treated by lithotripsy only, without adjuvant chemolytholytic agents. The three parameters, i. e. the size of fragments, calcification of stones and contractility of gallbladder had a statistical significant correlation with stone-free rates. These three parameters were confirmed by a multivariate analysis to be crucial determinants for fragments disappearance.
