Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy of Urinary Calculi

The first Danish experience with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) using a second generation Lithotriptor (Siemens Lithostar) is reported. 306 patients underwent 392 treatments for 393 stones. There were 339 renal calculi including 5 staghorn calculi and 54 ureteral calculi. Treatments were performed under local analgesia (82%) or epidural or general anesthesia (18%) when invasive procedures had to be done in connection with the treatment. Stone fragmentation was achieved with 2487±1262 shocks. The first months stone clearance rate was 45%; 26% had fragments less than 6 mm; 29% had residual stones. Corresponding rates after 3 and 6 months were 58%, 24% and 18% and 70%, 21% and 9% respectively. Septicemia occurred in 4 patients and cardial arrhytmia in 34 patients (11%). No serious intra-or perirenal hematomas were registered. In 9% additional procedures were required and 11 patients had residual stones removed at open surgery.The used second generation lithotriptor with X-ray based stone localisation is effective for treatment of both renal calculi and ureteral calculi in situ in all three segments of the ureter.