The aim of this study was to evaluate the complications of Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for symptomatic gallbladder stones. In a five year period, 167 patients were treated with ESWL plus litholytic agent. As major complications, acute pancreatitis was observed in 7 patients (4%) and acute cholecystitis in 2(1%). As minor complications cutaneous petechiae were observed in 33 patients (20%), transient obstructive jaundice in 2 (1,1%), microscopic haematuria in 4 (2,4%) and cardiac arrhythmia in one patient (0.6%). In conclusion ESWL has serious complications and recurrence problems and must be used in carefully selected patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease.