ESWL for difficult bile duct stones: A 15-year single centre experience

Table 1 Population and stone characteristics

Study population
n	214
Age	74.8 ± 0.9
Sex (M:F)	102:112
Stone characteristics (%)
Single	45
Multiple	55
≥ 1.5 cm	94
< 1.5 cm	6

Table 2 No. of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy sessions required to achieve stone clearance

ESWL sessions required	No. of patients (n = 214)
1	32
2	31
3	47
4	52
≥ 5	52

ESWL: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Table 3 Clearance and causes of treatment failure n (%)

Outcome	No. of patients (n = 214)
Clearance	192 (89.7)
Spontaneous or after 1 ERCP	178
≥ 2 ERCP	14
Treatment failure	22 (10.3)
No cause	15
Discontinued	7

ERCP: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Table 4 Procedure-related complications n (%)

Complications	No. of patients (n = 27)
Major	2 (0.9)
Haemobilia	1
Rectal bleeding	1
Minor	25 (12)
Vomiting	3
Arrhythmias	22