Drug therapy of gallstone disease
Leuschner, U.
Schweizerische Rundschau für Medizin Praxis 81(29-30): 905-906
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 1013-2058 PMID: 1631454 Document Number: 402220
Cholesterol stones in the gallbladder can be dissolved in 60 to 90% by oral administration of chenodeoxycholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid or the combination of both. The effect depend on the number and size of stones. Treatment is without any side effects and lethality. A great number and large stones can be dissolved by direct instillation of methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) into the gallbladder using the percutaneous transhepatic method. The success rate amounts to 90%, the average therapy duration is 9 hours. Solvents for chemolitholysis of pigmented stones are being tested.