Percutaneous cholecystolithotomy: the first 60 patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and possible complications of percutaneous removal of gall stones. DESIGN: Prospective study of the first 60 patients treated. SETTING: The London Clinic. PATIENTS: 60 Consecutive patients with symptomatic gall stones who agreed to have them removed percutaneously. RESULTS: 56 Patients had stones successfully removed percutaneously. In four patients failure of access necessitated a cholecystectomy under the same anaesthetic. Two patients had an empyema of the gall bladder drained initially, followed by a second operation to remove the stones one week later. Seven patients had postoperative complications, and two had recurrences of biliary calculi. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques and instruments used in percutaneous nephrolithotomy can successfully be adapted for percutaneous removal of gall stones. The procedure is suitable for a wider range of patients than other techniques that leave the gall bladder intact.