Ursodeoxycholic acid dissolution of gallstones in cystic fibrosis.

The dissolution of cholesterol gall stones is documented in two adults with cystic fibrosis. Improved care of patients with cystic fibrosis has meant that most survive into adult life. Consequently extrathoracic complications are assuming greater importance, especially those of the hepatobiliary system. These include progressive biliary cirrhosis (25%) leading to portal hypertension and oesophageal varices (2-5%). Gall bladder abnormalities include microgallbladder (18%), a gall bladder that fails to opacify on oral cholecystography (15%), recurrent attacks of biliary colic or cholecystitis (5-10%), and cholesterol gall stones (12%). 1 2 Poor respiratory function in cystic fibrosis patients puts them at considerable risk from a general anaesthetic,3 4 and postoperative pain results in poor compliance with physiotherapy. We report the first documented cases of dissolution of cholesterol gall stones in two adults with cystic fibrosis and recurrent attacks of biliary colic who were considered unfit for general anaesthesia.