Fragmentation of biliary tract stones by lithotripsy using local anesthesia

B. P. Brown, S. A. Loening, F. C. Johlin, M. T. Dayton and J. W. Maher
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has become an important mode of therapy for renal lithiasis in patients who cannot withstand surgery. Recently, this method has been successful in fragmenting biliary stones in selected healthy patients. We report the successful fragmentation of biliary stones after the administration of local anesthesia in two patients who were poor surgical risks.