Modern management of biliary tract stone disease.

A number of new techniques and approaches to the management of biliary tract stone disease have been developed in the past decade. The modern biliary surgeon must be aware of these and of their logical and proper place in the management of patients with biliary stone disease. However, the wise surgeon will continue to hone his surgical skills because the results of definitive, sure, and deliberate operative treatment of biliary tract stone disease remains the standard by which newer methods must be gauged.