Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy monotherapy is not adequate for management of staghorn renal calculi

Abstract EN

Between 1990 and 1999 a total of 186 patients with stag horn renal stones were treated in our unit.

Of them, 76 patients were managed by extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) alone using a third generation Siemen's Lithostar Plus lithotriptor.

Sixty-one of these patients who completed a follow-up of 41 months formed the subjects of this study.

ESWL was done after routine stenting of the affected side in all cases except one.

The mean number of ESWL sessions was 5.2, delivering an average 15,940 shocks per patient.

The average hospital stay was 21.68 days and the duration of the treatment was 1-41 months (mean 6.75 months).

Significant complications occurred in 35 patients (57.4%) eight of whom sustained multiple significant complications.

A total of 162 auxiliary procedures were used in conjunction with ESWL and in the management of complications.

The stone free rate at three months was 18%, but rose by the end of the treatment period (41 months) to 63.9%.

Our study indicates that ESWL monotherapy is associated with high morbidity rates, high rates of unplanned invasive procedures as well as prolonged treatment periods and hospitalization.

Thus, ESWL monotherapy is not adequate for the management of stag horn calculi.