Endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy for the treatment of common bile duct stone. Experience with the improved double sheath basket catheter.

Using a newly designed basket catheter, endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy was attempted in 14 patients with common bile duct stones following endoscopic sphincterotomy, and was successful in all cases. Endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy is a supplementary means of removing common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy, and its usefulness is highly rated. In some cases, however, there is difficulty in inserting the basket catheter into the common bile duct and grasping the gallstone. The newly designed forceps was accordingly developed, to smash these bile duct stone more reliably and effectively.