Exclusive piezoelectric lithotripsy in the treatment of calculi larger than 30 mm (partial or complete coralliform, pyelic calculi)

Thirty patients with partial or total staghorn stones or calculi larger than 30 mm were treated by piezoelectric lithotripsy (PEL) monotherapy using an EDAP LT-01 lithotripter with ultrasound guidance. Nineteen of these patients had pelvic stones; the other 11 had partial (9) or total (2) staghorn stones. All patients first underwent an initial lithotripsy session. No anesthesia or IV sedation was required in any case. If stone fragmentation was achieved during this first session, a double-J stent was inserted before the second lithotripsy session. Prior to the first session, 18 of 30 patients had sterile urine cultures; 12 of 30 presented major distension of the excretory tract. Results were analyzed to determine the factors influencing the outcome of this therapy. Three months after the first session, patients were considered cured if their stones had completely disappeared according to plain abdominal films (14 of 30, 46%). In seven patients (23.3%) fragmentation had occurred but residual fragments remained (1 to 3 fragments less than or equal to 4 mm). No fragmentation was obtained after the first session in nine patients (30.7%) (1 total staghorn stone, 8 pelvic stones). The mean number of treatment sessions was five (range, 1 to 15). Complications occurred in only 10% of patients (3 of 30): two steinstrassen and one acute pyelonephritis. Eighty-three percent of patients without major excretory tract distension and 55% of patients whose initial urine culture was sterile achieved a stone-free state. Therefore the best indications for PEL monotherapy for calculi larger than 30 mm are pelvic stones and partial staghorn stones and no major excretory tract dilatation in patients with sterile initial urine cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Early results of combined electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotripsy and oral litholytic therapy of gallbladder stones at the University of Iowa

One hundred thirty-three patients were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for symptomatic gallstones versus extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy plus adjuvant litholytic therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Six months after lithotripsy, patients receiving placebo were crossed over to UDCA therapy without unblinding the study. One hundred sixteen patients have completed 6 months of follow-up. Five patients were dropped from the study. Nine percent have required cholecystectomy (11 patients with biliary colic and 1 with acute cholecystitis). Ninety-one patients had a solitary stone (64 patients had stones less than or equal to 20 mm and 27 patients had stones greater than 20 mm in diameter), and 25 patients had two to three stones. Fifty percent were retreated. Cumulative stone-free rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 26%, 39%, and 41%, respectively. At 6 months there was a significant advantage for patients treated with UDCA versus placebo (36% vs 17% were stone free) that had disappeared by 12 months (placebo-treated patients had received 6 months of UDCA). Patients with solitary stones equal to or less than 20 mm in diameter treated with UDCA had stone-free rates at 6, 12, and 18 months of 58%, 58%, and 62%, respectively, versus 27%, 56%, and 50%. The difference was significant only at the 6- month follow-up. Stone-free rates for patients with large solitary stones and multiple stones were very low. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is both safe and effective therapy for treatment of symptomatic gallstones in patients with a solitary stone equal to or less than 20 mm in diameter. UDCA markedly improves the efficiency of the procedure and results in a stone-free gallbladder sooner.     

Outpatient extracorporeal lithotripsy of kidney stones: 1,200 treatments

1,200 extracorporeal lithotripsies have been performed in 816 patients. 58% of the stones had a diameter of 3-10 mm, 41% measured between 11 and 20 mm and 1% were larger than 20 mm. The patients were all treated on an outpatient basis without either anesthesia or analgesia. The mean time spent at the lithotripsy center was 2 h: the mean treatment time was 46 min, i.e. 3,450 shocks at a frequency of 1.25/s. 530 patients were reviewed after 3 months. Overall, 64% of them were stone free. These results varied between 73% for stones less than 10 mm in diameter and 43% for stones larger than 20 mm in diameter. 69% of the patients presenting with a single stone were stone free at 3 months. The best results were obtained in upper caliceal stones (78%) and the least satisfactory results were obtained in the lower caliceal stones (68%). The complication rate was low: renal colic in 18% of cases, fever in 2% of cases. Altogether, 13 disobstructions were required, namely 12 endoscopic and 1 surgical. 33% of patients were retreated without admission to hospital. Outpatient extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy is indicated for renal pelvic or caliceal stones less than 20 mm in diameter situated in a nonobstructed renal cavity, in a noninfected patient without any particular risk factors. 85% of patients are currently treated at the lithotripsy center on an outpatient basis.     

The Dornier Compact Delta lithotripter: the first 500 renal calculi

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL) is now the best noninvasive treatment for renal calculi, rendering many patients stone free. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the short-term results of patients undergoing SWL with the Dornier Compact Delta lithotripter for all renal calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1999 and May 2000, there were 500 renal calculi treated in 166 female and 334 male patients with a mean age of 53 +/- 15 years. All patients who completed treatment were entered in the study and assessed at 1 and 3 months with a plain film of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Stone-free rate and final outcome have been evaluated. Final outcome is defined as stone free or residual fragments 4 mm or less. Analysis has been made according to stone size, location, number of treatments per stone, and number of shocks per stone. The analgesia requirements during each treatment and complications have also been analyzed. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate for stones <10 mm was 62% at 1 month and 76% at 3 months. For stones 10 to 20 mm, these rates were 53% and 66%, while the rates for stones >20 mm were 41% and 47%, respectively. The final outcome for stones <10 mm was 90% at 1 month and 93% at 3 months, for stones 10 to 20 mm 73% and 84%, and for stones >20 mm 57% and 67%, respectively. The effectiveness quotient for calculi <10 mm was 60%. For calculi 10 to 20 mm, it was 51%, and for those >20 mm, it was 31%. Oral analgesia was given routinely; however, additional intravenous analgesia was necessary in 22% of treatments. No serious complications have been seen. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that with proper patient selection, good results at 1 and 3 months can be achieved with minimal anesthesia during treatment and low retreatment rates. We do not recommend SWL as primary therapy for stones >20 mm.     

Pneumatic lithotripsy for large ureteral stones: is it the first line treatment?

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) with ureteroscopy in the treatment of large ureteral stones. Methods We reviewed, retrospectively, the records of 156 patients (122 male, 34 female) who had ureteral calculi larger than 10 mm that were treated with PL. Of these patients, 41 (26.3%) were treated primarily with PL and 115 (73.7%) were treated secondarily after unsuccessful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). The mean stone diameter was 12.87 mm (range 10–20.5 mm). Results were evaluated 3 months after treatment by excretory urography and/or ultrasonography. Results The overall stone-free and fragmentation rates (FRs) were 85.2 and 92.3%, respectively. Corresponding values were 60 and 84% for upper ureteral stones, 79.5 and 89.7% for middle ureter stones and 94.5 and 95.6% for lower ureteral stones, respectively. The main complications were migration of a complete stone or of fragments (7.1%), urosepsis (4.5%) and ureteral perforation (1.3%). Conclusions Although SWL is generally accepted as the first treatment option for ureteral stones because of its non-invasive nature, PL with ureteroscopy seems to be a good alternative with the advantage of higher success rates and quick stone clearance. Especially when we take the importance of quick stone removal into account for larger ureteral stones, which are more likely to have obstruction, impaction, or infection, we believe that PL may be chosen as the first line treatment rather than SWL for stones larger than 10 mm.     

Extracorporeal lithotripsy of ureteral calculi using the Dormier HM3 device. A series of 176 calculi]

In a series gathered over 5 years (November 1984 to November 1989), we have treated 356 patients with ureteral lithiasis. Out of these, 170 (134 men and 36 women) were treated with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotrity with a Dornier HM3 system, in situ and as a first intention. The calculi (176 stones) were regularly distributed along the ureter: their location was subpyelic in 44 cases, lumboiliac in 59, upper pelvic in 42 and lower pelvic in 32. The average diameter of the calculi was 10 mm for subpyelic stones and 8 mm for the others. A preliminary urine drainage was required for 24 calculi causing acute obstructive pyelonephritis (32 ureteral drains surrounding the stone, and 2 percutaneous nephrostomies). Radioscopic localization required intravenous pyelography during lithotrity in 52 cases (30%). On radiographs without preparation taken the next day, 170 stones were regarded as fragmented (96%). After some time the 6 patients whose calculus had not been fragmented underwent another treatment (4 ureterotomies and 2 ureteroscopies). Five patients had an additional treatment because of a painful and/or febrile episode (3 drain insertions and 2 ureterotomies) and 2 patients required a second session of lithotrity because fragmentation was not sufficient; 4 patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 153 patients (90%) got rid of their fragments, 146 during the first months and the remaining 7 before the sixth month. No severe complication was noted. Besides the 5 patients who had required additional treatment, 11 patients suffering from pain and/or fever had a medical treatment. These treatments lead us to proposing first-intention "in situ" extracorporeal shock wave lithotrity for all ureteral lithiases requiring a treatment.     

Extracorporeal lithotripsy of ureteric calculi using the Dornier HM-3 lithotriptor.

Over a 5-year period (November 1984-November 1989), we treated 356 patients with ureteric calculi; 170 were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on a Dornier HM-3 lithotriptor. The calculi (n = 176) were uniformly distributed along the length of the ureter: 44 were just below the pelviureteric junction, 59 were lumbo-iliac, 42 were in the upper bony pelvis and 32 in the lower bony pelvis. The mean diameter of the upper ureteric calculi was 10 mm and for the others it was 8 mm. Thirty-four patients with acute obstructive pyelonephritis required pre-ESWL drainage of the urine. X-ray localisation required intravenous urography during lithotripsy in 52 cases (30%). On plain X-ray the following day 170 stones (96%) were judged to have disintegrated. The 6 patients whose stones were not fragmented received further treatment (ureterotomy (4) and ureteroscopy (2)). Five patients required additional treatment because of pain or fever (catheterisation (3) and ureterotomy (2)) and 2 patients had a second lithotripsy owing to insufficient fragmentation. Four patients were lost to follow-up. In 153 patients (90%) the fragments were eliminated completely, 146 in the first month and the remainder before the sixth month. No serious sequelae were observed. In addition to the 5 patients who required supplementary treatment. 11 patients with pain or fever needed medical treatment. We recommend first intention in situ ESWL for all ureteric calculi.     

The effect of intracalyceal distribution on the clearance of renal stones of > or = 20 mm in children after extracorporeal lithotripsy

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of the intracalyceal distribution of renal stones on clearance rates after treating paediatric nephrolithiasis with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed a retrospective case series of children (aged < or = 14 years) undergoing lithotripsy on an MPL 9000 (Dornier GmbH, Germany) echo-guided lithotripter. Patients were identified using an international coding and indexing system and ESWL registry. In all, 125 children were treated during 1990-2003, but 21 had stones of > or = 20 mm. Stone clearance was assessed at 1 and 3 months, the stone-free state being defined as no radiological evidence of stone or fragments of < or = 3 mm. Failed treatments were analysed to identify any correlation with stone site. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate was 81%; in four children the treatment failed (all girls) and subsequently they required ancillary procedures. Nineteen patients (90%) received up to three sessions of ESWL; two required four or more sessions. Of the four children in whom treatment failed, two had JJ stents; the stones were in the lower pole calyx in two, and the renal pelvis and lower pole calyx in two. The mean stone size in those where treatment failed was 25 mm, vs 21 mm in the stone-free group. The complication rate was 19%, but only one child required admission to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is very effective for renal stones in children, with minimal morbidity. Lower pole and partial staghorn stones with a major component in the lower pole calyx should preferably be treated by a percutaneous approach.     

A study on the passage of the upper urinary tract stones after in situ ESWL]

Two hundred patients with upper urinary tract stones underwent in situ ESWL with Lithostar during the recent 20 months at Kanagawa Prefectural Atsugi Hospital. Actual residual stone rates were calculated based on the period from the initiation of the treatment to the stone free status, and discussed according to the location and size of the stone treated. Total 200 patients were submitted to 1.67 +/- 0.97 treatment sessions with 6742 +/- 5545 shock waves. After 3 months, 148 patients (78%) showed stone free status, and 32 patients (16%) had residual stones less than 4 mm. The actual residual stone rates were 90.5%, 66.5%, 39.1%, 26.9% and 17.9% after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. The residual stone rate were lower in the lower ureter, uretero-pelvic junction, upper ureter, renal parenchyma or diverticulum and renal pelvis or calyx in order. As for the size, the larger the stones the higher the residual stone rates; the therapeutic results were significantly worse in patient group of stones larger than 21 mm compared to the patient group of smaller stones (p less than 1%). The destructed stones were passed gradually up to 6th week after in situ ESWL, however, after that fragments seldom passed out. Therefore, it was concluded that decision on the additional or combination therapeutic intervention, if necessary, should be made after 6 weeks. Combination therapy with endoscopic surgery and/or others was seemingly needed for the patients with stones of more than 21 mm in size and of renal pelvis and renal calyx to improve the rates of stone free.     

Is lower pole caliceal anatomy predictive of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy success for primary lower pole kidney stones?

PURPOSE: The management of lower pole kidney stones is controversial. We examined whether lower pole caliceal anatomy could predict the success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of primary lower pole kidney stones 20 mm. or less. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1997 to June 2001, 246 adults with a single, 20 mm. or less radiopaque lower pole renal stone were treated with the Doli 50 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Marietta, Georgia) while under general anesthesia. Of the 246 patients 190 (77%) had excretory urography available for review. Lower pole infundibular length and width, lower pole infundibulopelvic angle and caliceal-pelvic height were measurable on 161 (85%), 129 (68%), 128 (67%) and 163 (86%) excretory urograms, respectively. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was considered a failure if residual stone fragments remained after 1 month, or an auxiliary procedure or re-treatment was required.RESULTS The overall stone-free rate was 78% (32 of 41) for stones 5 mm. or less, 73% (98 of 135) for stones 6 to 10 mm., 43% (22 of 51) for stones 11 to 15 mm. and 30% (7 of 19) for stones 16 to 20 mm. in maximum linear dimension. The stone-free rates grouped according to stone surface area were 76% (48 of 63 stones) for stone surface area 25 mm.2 or less, 69% (97 of 141) for 26 to 100 mm.2 and 33% (14 of 42) for 101 to 400 mm.2. Caliceal anatomy was not predictive of success even with stones grouped as 10 or less or 11 to 20 mm. Grouping patients with favorable (lower pole infundibulopelvic angle 70 degrees or greater, lower pole infundibular length 30 mm. or less and lower pole infundibular width greater than 5 mm.) versus unfavorable (70 degrees or less, greater than 30 mm. and 5 mm. or less, respectively) anatomy was also not predictive of success. CONCLUSIONS: On the Doli 50 machine stone size rather than caliceal anatomy is predictive of treatment outcome. Initial treatment failures with this machine should be managed by alternative endoscopic procedures if necessary rather than by repeat shock wave lithotripsy.     

输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合超声弹道碎石治疗输尿管上段结石

目的探讨输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合超声弹道碎石治疗输尿管上段结石的临床疗效。方法采用输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合第三代超声弹道碎石系统治疗输尿管上段结石20例。结石横径为5～13mm，纵径为6～20mm。其中9例先采用钬激光将结石适当打碎后再采用三代超声碎石。结果所有结石都被拦截网固定后碎石，一次性碎石成功率95％（19／20），1例术后结合体外冲击波碎石（ESWL）治愈；平均手术时间46min；估计术中平均失血量为10mL。术中无1例输尿管穿孔和明显的出血。结论拦截网将结石适当固定是碎石成功的关键，与第三代超声弹道碎石清石系统联合应用具有结石清除率高、创伤小、并发症少等特点，是值得临床推荐的一种治疗方法。     

Extracorporeal piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy of ureteral stones: are second-generation lithotripters obsolete?

BACKGROUND: The role of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for ureteral calculi is still being debated. We evaluated our results in a large series to clarify the role of this modality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 478 patients with solitary ureteral stones were treated by in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using a Wolf Piezolith 2300 ultrasound-guided lithotripter. Two hundred fifty stones (52.3%) were located in the upper ureter and 228 (47.7%) in the distal ureter. Seventy of the upper ureteral stones were located in the ureteropelvic junction and 180 in the lumbar ureter. The diameter of the stones ranged from 5 to 30 mm. Four hundred sixty-seven patients were followed up for a mean of 4 months. RESULTS: Four hundred forty patients (94.2%) were stone free after in situ SWL alone. Complete removal of all stone fragments was achieved in 95.4% of the 216 patients with calculi of 5 to 10 mm in diameter, in 94.3% of the 229 with stones of 11 to 20 mm, and in 81.8% of the 22 with calculi of 21 to 30 mm. In situ treatment completely removed 61 of 69 ureteropelvic junction stones (88.4%), 166 of 175 lumbar stones (94.8%), and 213 of 223 distal ureteral stones (95.5%). In situ treatment failed in 27 stones (5.8%). After 4 months, 12 stone fragments and 15 unfragmented stones persisted despite retreatments and required endoscopic procedures. The mean number of sessions and shockwaves per patient was 1.8 and 4884, respectively. Morbidity was low. Renal colic in 57 patients (11.9%) was managed successfully by analgesics. In 36 patients, stone fragments obstructed the ureter; in 28 of these 36 (78%), the obstruction was resolved and the patients were stone free after in situ retreatments alone. All these results were achieved on an outpatient basis without sedation or local or general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Piezoelectric SWL is an effective and noninvasive method for eliminating ureteral stones. Second-generation ultrasound-guided lithotripters are not yet obsolete.     

Minimally invasive treatment of hemiacidrin soluble staghorn renal stones

Among 78 patients with hemiacidrin soluble staghorn renal stones, 23 were treated with a combination of one session of percutaneous debulking and high-energy extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Group A); 17 were treated with high-energy ESWL only (Group B); and 38 were treated with low-energy only ESWL (Group C). In all patients percutaneous nephrostomies were inserted and the ESWL procedure was followed by hemiacidrin irrigation. ESWL was performed with anesthesia in Groups A and B, but without anesthesia in Group C. Groups A and B did not differ in number of ESWL sessions or length of hospital stay, and the therapeutic results at discharge and at 6-month follow-up were comparable, whereby 59% of the patients in both groups were either stone-free or had only small ( less than or equal to 3 mm) residual fragments. In Group C more ESWL sessions were performed, and the hospital stay as well as the hemiacidrin irrigation periods were longer. The fraction of stone-free renal units at discharge was significantly higher in Group C than in Group A (p less than 0.05) and after 4 weeks higher than in both Groups A (p less than 0.025) and B (p < 0.05). At 6 month follow-up, 92% of the patients in Group C were either stone-free or had only small ( less than or equal to 3 mm) residual fragments. Combined low-energy ESWL and hemiacidrin irrigation can successfully be used for treatment of even very large infection staghorn stones.     

Rapid communication: first clinical experience with Doli S 220F-XP extracorporeal lithotripter for urinary lithiasis

PURPOSE: To assess the initial results of the Dornier Doli S 220F-XP extracorporeal lithotripter for the management of solitary urinary calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined the outcome of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the first 140 patients with solitary renal and ureteral lithiasis treated by one urologist with the new power Doli S lithotripter. Ninety-one patients (group A) had renal stones, and 49 patients (group B) had ureteral stones. Data were collected with respect to stone size, location, and fragmentation. RESULTS: In group A, clinical success was documented in 77 patients (84%) at 1 month after lithotripsy. Three months after lithotripsy, 69 patients (75.2%) were stone free and 8 (8.8%) had fragments <4 mm. In group B, 41 patients (83%) achieved clinical success 1 month after lithotripsy. Thirty-eight patients (77%) were stone free 3 months after treatment, and 3 (6%) had fragments <4 mm. Seven patients (7%) in group A and three patients (6%) in group B required re-treatment. The overall efficiency quotient was 67%. No patient developed a perinephric hematoma. Ninety-four percent of the patients reported mild pain during lithotripsy. The majority (91%) mentioned that they were satisfied with this treatment modality for urinary lithiasis (mean visual analog scale satisfaction score 8). CONCLUSIONS: The Doli S 220 F-XP is a safe and effective device for managing calculi throughout the urinary tract.     

Endourological experience with cystine calculi and a treatment algorithm

Between May 1984 and January 1988, 18 patients (31 pyeloureteral units) with documented symptomatic cystine stones were treated. Stone size ranged from 5 to 56 mm. in largest diameter, with an average of 21 mm. All pyeloureteral units were treated initially by endourological methods, including ureteroscopy in 10, percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy in 9, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 10 and chemolysis in 2. Of the patients 10 required a combination of these technologies and 2 required an open operation. Of the 31 units 23 were free of stones when the patient was discharged from the hospital. Of 8 patients with retained stones only 3 had fragments greater than 3 mm. in diameter. Based on this experience an algorithm was developed for the urological management of cystine stones. Ureteral calculi may be removed by ureteroscopic techniques or manipulated into the renal pelvis and managed as renal stones. Cystine renal calculi of less than 1.5 cm. may be treated with ESWL monotherapy. Stones of 1.5 to 3 cm. may be treated with ESWL and dissolution, or percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy plus dissolution. Staghorn calculi may be treated by percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy plus ESWL and/or dissolution for retained fragments.     

The fate of residual fragments after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy of infection stones

We reviewed 53 patients with infection stones treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) monotherapy to determine the long-term rate free of stones and the stone recurrence rate as correlated with the pre-treatment stone burden and the radiological presence of sand or fragments after the procedure. Long-term followup (mean 26.6 months) was available on 33 patients representing 38 kidneys. Although only 3 kidneys were free of stones immediately after ESWL, 20 were without stones at 3 months and 18 (47%) were stone-free at followup. Of 9 kidneys with fragments of more than 5 mm. after the final treatment 7 (78%) had residual fragments at 3 months and experienced stone progression. Of 9 kidneys with sand remaining 6 (66%) and all 3 kidneys that appeared to be free of stones after ESWL were without stones at followup. The 3-month plain film of the kidneys, ureters and bladder was a reliable indicator of eventual outcome. Of 20 kidneys that were free of stones at 3 months 16 remained without stones. Of 18 kidneys with residual stone particles at 3 months 14 showed disease progression, 2 had stable disease and 2 passed residual sand. Only 1 of 17 patients who were free of stones or had stable stone disease had a positive urine culture at followup. Patients with infection stone fragments 3 months after ESWL monotherapy have a high rate of stone progression (78%) and should undergo further treatment. ESWL monotherapy of infection stones requires close patient followup to assure that all residual fragments have passed and urine remains sterile.     

Removal of asymptomatic ipsilateral renal stones following rigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of flexible ureteroscopic removal of small (<1-cm) asymptomatic renal stone(s) following rigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten female and nineteen male patients underwent rigid ureteroscopy and holmium lasertripsy for removal of ureteral stone(s). All had asymptomatic renal stone(s) on the same side, which were then removed using flexible ureteroscopy. The renal stones were either removed intact with a tipless Nitinol basket or fragmented with the laser to small pieces (<2 mm), with basket removal of larger fragments. The number and size of stones, total operative time, added time needed for flexible ureteroscopy, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up at 1 month included a plain abdominal film and renal ultrasonography or noncontrast CT scan. RESULTS: Fifty-six renal stones with a mean size of 5.7 mm were treated. Fourteen patients had stones on the right side, and 15 had stones on the left. The mean total operative time was 56.5 minutes, with a mean added time of 16.7 minutes for flexible ureteroscopy. Stones were removed intact in 18 patients and fragmented in 8 patients, resulting in an immediate success rate of 90%. There were three failures. One-month follow-up confirmed all patients were either stone-free or had residual fragments <2 mm in diameter, with no new-onset hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of small asymptomatic renal stones at the time of ureteroscopy for ureteral stones appears safe and effective and requires little additional operative time.     

Noninvasive anesthesia,analgesia and radiation-free extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for stones in the most distal ureter: experience with 165 patients

PURPOSE: Spontaneous ureteral stone passage often causes severe renal colic, especially when the stone passes through the narrow ureteral orifice. In these situations noninvasive anesthesia-free, analgesia-free and radiation-free extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Marietta, Georgia) is a valuable tool. It can be performed at any time without needing any further patient preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients underwent ESWL using the Lithostar Ultra device (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Only ureteral calculi within 5 cm. of the ureterovesical junction were included in this study. Patients were treated while supine and stones were localized by ultrasound through the filled bladder without x-ray exposure. Treatment was started without anesthesia or analgesia and analgesics were administered only at patient request during treatment. RESULTS: Of the patients 93% were treated without anesthesia or analgesia and 7% required a single intravenous dose of 25 mg. pethidine. Postoperatively renal colic developed in 40 patients (24%). In 4 cases (2.4%) renal drainage was required for analgesia resistant pain or obstructive pyelonephritis. On day 1 after ESWL 90% of the patients were stone-free or had fragments 2 mm. or less, while 10% had residual fragments 3 mm. or greater. Of all patients 7% were re-treated once. At 3 months postoperatively 129 of the 130 evaluable patients (99%) were stone-free. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL of stones located in the most distal ureter using the Lithostar Ultra device is effective, safe and radiation-free. It is done without anesthesia and in most cases without analgesics. This simple and noninvasive procedure is an excellent first line treatment modality for prevesical stones and it represents a valid alternative to conservative management or invasive endoscopy.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: our experimental and clinical experience with the Direx machine

The Direx Tripter X-1 is a modular extracorporeal shock wave system that uses underwater spark gaps as its source for lithotripsy. Experience with 712 treatments in 541 patients has given a fragmentation rate of 99%. Of these patients, 27% had stones larger than 2 cm or multiple stones. A stone free situation at 3 months follow-up was achieved in 75% of the cases. Seventeen percent had small fragments less than 4 mm and 8% had fragments greater than 4 mm. Auxiliary procedures following ESWL were required in 7%. No major complications were seen. The advantages of this system are: modularity, mobility, flexibility, and low cost.     

Retrograde intrarenal stone surgery for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy-resistant kidney stones

OBJECTIVE: The newer flexible ureteroscopes, 150-200-microm holmium YAG laser fibres and superflexible Dormia baskets have made it possible to reach and treat stones in all parts of the kidney. The object of this evaluation was to study the outcome of retrograde intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS) for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-resistant kidney stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive patients (18 males, 20 females) participated in the study. All patients had undergone ESWL prior to RIRS without success. In all cases the stones could be reached with the endoscope. Calculi ranged in size from 3 to 20 mm (mean 9 mm). In 32 cases the stones were fragmented using a holmium YAG laser and in six the stones could be extracted using zero-tip Dormia baskets without fragmentation. Sixteen patients had lower calyceal calculi and eight had an abnormal anatomy of the upper urinary tract. Intravenous pyelography was performed 6-8 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: In all cases the stones could be reached and fragmented to some extent. After a single RIRS procedure, 22/38 patients (58%) were completely stone-free at follow-up, and four (11%) had residual fragments < or = 4 mm in size that were expected to pass spontaneously. Of the remaining 12 patients, who initially had larger stones (mean 11.3 mm), the residual fragments ranged in size from 5 to 15 mm. Three patients underwent an additional RIRS procedure, after which they were all completely stone-free, resulting in an overall success rate of 76%. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: RIRS is a safe procedure with a high success rate and a low complication rate for ESWL-resistant renal stones. Patients with larger stones (> 10 mm), those with stones in the lower pole and those with an abnormal renal anatomy may require more than one procedure.