[Biliary lithiasis]. / Reflexiones sobre la litiasis biliar.

We have reviewed our experience with 2,430 cases of lithiasis of the biliary tract, 500 of them located in the common bile duct and 104 corresponding to residual lithiasis. We have made a general reflexion on the problems aroused by this very common al condition, which has an imprevisible, some times severe, outcome. The recent acquisition of new conservative methods, as disolvents and lithotrix, and the diagnostic and therapeutic role of endoscopy have revolutionated the state of the art and have introduced controversial points still unsolved. As it is common in clinical practice, biliary lithiasis should be approached in a multidisciplinary fashion, employing the most convenient diagnostic procedure for the clinical situation of the patient; a priori no accredited procedure should be disregarded.