[Laser lithotripsy in gastroenterology].

Almost 90% of all stones in the bile duct can be removed after sphincterotomy and additional mechanical or electrohydraulic lithotripsy. However, a small number of very large or very hard or impacted stones remain, which cannot be removed by conventional endoscopic methods. Intracorporeal laser-induced lithotripsy is a new, promising method to improve stone clearance rate in the common bile duct and--in special cases--also of the pancreatic duct system. Laser-induced lithotripsy especially in combination with a stone tissue detection system is a safe and effective method which can be performed either under direct endoscopic vision or--in selected cases--under X-ray control alone.