New alternatives in gallstone treatment.

Within the past few years, a number of new treatment modalities for gallbladder stones have become available. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proved as safe as traditional surgical cholecystectomy, without the discomfort and lengthy recuperation associated with a large abdominal incision. Several other new treatments also have been investigated, including percutaneous cholecystolithotomy, peroral drug chemolysis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and methyl-tert-butyl ether lavage. The relative merits and disadvantages of these treatments, compared to each other and to standard cholecystectomy, are described herein.