Nonsurgical Treatment of Cholelithiasis: An Analysis of Clinical Opportunity

Abstract

This article examines the potential impact of recently developed nonsurgical treatments for gallstones on patient care and resource utilization. Using epidemiological and efficacy data from the literature and current patient selection criteria, the authors evaluate UDCA, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, and direct instillation of methyltertbutyl ether in terms of short-term clinical results, health policy, and economic implications.

Treatment of Symptomatic Cholelithiasis in France: A Decision Analysis Comparing Cholecystectomy and Biliary Lithotripsy

“…In concert with a decision tree, a cost-minimization framework is employed to produce results describing resource use, as well as economic and clinical consequences for the cohort. A similar methodology was used by Ransohoff et al (47) analysis comparing ursodeoxycholic acid, an oral dissolution agent, and cholecystectomy, while another report (66) from the United States focused on the short-term economic implications of a number of nonsurgical treatments.…”