Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (eswl)‎ for thetreatment of urolithiasis

Abstract EN

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has proved to be an optimal therapy for renal and ureteric calculi. We report on 226 patients (17-75 years old) treated with the Siemens Modularis lithotriptor.

There were 157 males and 69 females.

218 calculi were located in the kidneys while only 28 calculi were in the ureters.

In situ treatment was performed in 205 cases without instrumentation and in 21 after placement of a ureteral catheter.

All ESWL treatments were performed with the patient under conscious sedation and on an outpatient basis.

The overall success rate of initial treatment with ESWL for small calculi ≤ 1cm was 86% versus 43% success rate for calculi larger than 1cm which necessitate 1-2 re-treatments.

Ureteric stenting during treatment had no influence on the stone free rate in our patients.

Complications were infrequent with the most common being renal colic in 8.8% of the cases all of which were managed conservatively.

In conclusion extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is a safe and highly effective method of treating urinary calculi particularly those less than 1 cm in size.