**2.1. Efficiency of ESWL in comparison with cholecystectomy (CC)**

Being minimally invasive, ESWL was preferred by patients and doctors to be used for gall stone clearance in contrast to surgery. However, cholecystectomy has proven less recurrence rates for gall stone development than ESWL [9].

On the other hand, a randomized, prospective study by Nicholl et al. [23] stated that both ESWL and CC groups had similar results regarding the 1‐year health status following treat‐ ment. Moreover, the ESWL group health status was improved within 2 weeks in contrast to that of CC group that was improved in 5 weeks.
