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Gallstone disease future or investigational therapies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]

Overview

Overview

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) is the latest advancement in the removal of gallstones in a nonsurgical manner. EHL reportedly has success rates of over 90%.

Future or Investigational Therapies

Future or Investigational Therapies

  • Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) works on the same principle as ERCP.[1][2][3]
  • A digital single-operator cholangioscope known as “SpyGlass” is passed through a duodenoscope, which is passed through the oral passage.
  • Unlike ERCP, no X-rays are needed to visualize the stones.
  • Once the stones are reached, a powerful burst of electrical currents are released to shatter stones.
  • The main complicaton with EHL is that the common bile duct may be perforated.
  • Bleeding may also occur, as well as injury to the surrounding epithelium.
References

References

  1. Siegel JH, Ben-Zvi JS, Pullano WE (1990). “Endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy”. Gastrointest. Endosc. 36 (2): 134–6. PMID 2335279.
  2. Binmoeller KF, Brückner M, Thonke F, Soehendra N (1993). “Treatment of difficult bile duct stones using mechanical, electrohydraulic and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy”. Endoscopy. 25 (3): 201–6. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1010293. PMID 8519238.
  3. Lee JG, Leung JW (1996). “Endoscopic management of difficult common bile duct stones”. Gastrointest. Endosc. Clin. N. Am. 6 (1): 43–55. PMID 8903562.

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