Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of proximal and distal ureteral stones

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was used for treatment of 105 patients with ureteral stones. There were 77 stones in the upper part of the ureter, i.e. above the pelvic brim, and 28 in the lower part, i.e. below the sacroiliac joint. Successful fragmentation was attained in 101 (96%). In 93% of the patients with stones in the upper ureter and in 100% with stones in the lower ureter the fragments were eliminated completely. In 87% of the patients with stones in the upper ureter, a ureteral catheter was introduced under local anesthesia but without fluoroscopic control. It was thereby possible to remove 30% of the stones from the ureter to the kidney. For the remaining stones, saline was infused through the catheter during ESWL. For patients with stones in the lower part of the ureter, a ureteral catheter was passed in 79% and saline infused during treatment. Whereas some form of anesthesia was used for treatment of all upper ureteral stones, 89% of the treatments for lower ureteral stones were performed without anesthesia. Auxiliary procedures after ESWL were limited to four ureteral catheter manipulations for distal stones. Four proximal stones which remained unaffected by ESWL had to be treated by open surgery (3 stones) or percutaneous surgery (1 stone). Of 82 ureteric stones treated in situ the success fragmentation rate was 95%. The average number of ESWL sessions was 1.04 for both proximal and distal ureteral stones.     

Clinical application of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to 5 solitary kidney patients with upper urinary tract stones

We performed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to 5 solitary kidney patients with upper urinary tract stones (4 kidneys and 1 lower ureter) using the EDAP lithotripter LT-01 and achieved 4 complete and 1 well results. The size of stones ranged from 8 mm to staghorn and trials were 1 to 10 units. We could accomplish perfect crushing and abortion of stones in the 4 renal stone patients without any adjuvant systems as ureteral stent but nephrostomy was needed in the 1 lower ureteral stone patient developed anuria. The values of blood pressure, hematology, blood chemical constituents and urine excretion enzymes at a month after the last ESWL were not so changed compared with those of preoperation and also excretory urogram showed favorable findings. In this series decreased renal functions by ESWL were not observed. We confirmed ESWL was an effective and a safe method even in the cases of solitary kidney patients and monotherapy without any adjuvants was possible.     

Evaluation of the results of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for solitary upper urinary tract stone]

We performed extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on 1,701 patients in a total of 2,438 sessions using the Dornier kidney lithotriptor Model HM III from July 1985 to the end of June 1990. Among the patients with a solitary stone, 1,200 cases were available for the follow-up study in which the results of ESWL were analyzed according to the location and size of the stone. ESWL performed against stones at pelvis and calyces gave the best results. The results obtained on stones less than 20 mm in diameter were especially favorable with a success rate of 84%. ESWL performed against ureter stones showed poor results with a success rate of 62% for the stones smaller than 20 mm in diameter. We further studied the results of ESWL performed against ureter stones by dividing the patients into three groups: the patients treated in situ, the patients with ureteral stents and the patients with D-J stents. The results for stones larger than 10 mm in diameter were significantly better in the patients with D-J stents than in the patients treated in situ or the patients with ureteral stents. Among the patients treated in situ, the results were significantly worse for impacted stones than for non-impacted stones when the stone size was 10-20 mm in diameter.     

Two years clinical experiences with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and transurethral ureterolithotripsy for ureteral stones at Osaka City University Hospital

From July 1985 to June 1987, 303 patients with ureteral stones were treated by either extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL). The ureteral stones were classified into two groups, upper and lower ureteral stones. The upper ureteral stone was defined as a stone located above the pelvic brim in radiological examinations. ESWL was performed using a Dornier lithotriptor HM-3. For TUL, following the insertion of a guide wire and dilatation of the intramural ureter by ureteral bougie, a ureteroscope was introduced into the ureter. The success rate included both patients who became stone free and patients whose stones were disintegrated into less than 4 mm. The success rate of ESWL for upper ureteral stones was 90%, and 8.5% were treated subsequently by TUL. The success rate of TUL for upper ureteral stones was 42%, and the remaining required another session of TUL or another procedure, mainly ESWL. On the other hand, the success rate of TUL for lower ureteral stones was 71%, and the remainder also required another session of TUL or another procedure, mainly ESWL. The efficacy of TUL for stone street was comparably low by the evaluation done at 5 days after the procedure. However, almost all patients with stone street, which had developed after ESWL treatment, became stone free several weeks after TUL and insertion of a stent catheter. Major complications or side effects for ESWL were fever of more than 37.5 degrees C (7.5%) and pain attacks (8.9%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anesthesia-free in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of ureteral stones

Stones in the proximal, mid and distal ureter in 375 consecutive patients were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in a technically unmodified Dornier HM3 lithotriptor without regional or general anesthesia. Adequate followup was available in 162 patients with proximal, 62 with mid and 146 with distal ureteral stones. The fraction of patients with stone-free ureters within 3 months after ESWL was 96, 97 and 97%, respectively. Of all patients only 13 (3.6%) had residual stones or fragments in the ureter after 3 months. The average number of ESWL sessions was 1.34 for all patients, and 1.36, 1.45 and 1.38 for those with proximal, mid and distal ureteral stones, respectively. A ureteral catheter with saline irrigation was used whenever it was possible to insert a ureteral catheter. Only 15 stones were pushed up to the kidney during catheterization and all other stones were treated in situ. There were more retreatments in patients in whom the stone had not been bypassed by a catheter at the initial ESWL session. During at least 1 treatment session 238 patients had a ureteral catheter with the tip above the stone. Approximately half of all patients were treated after only premedication with pethidine and diazepam, and cutaneous half of all patients were treated after only premedication with pethidine and diazepam, and cutaneous anesthesia with an anesthetic cream containing lidocaine-prilocaine (for proximal and mid ureteral stones). Small supplements of pethidine and diazepam were given to the other patients during the ESWL session. In situ ESWL of ureteral stones as described is a convenient, efficient and attractive procedure that, applied in a consequent manner, theoretically might result in a successful outcome in up to 98% of the patients.     

Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy in the treatment of calculi of the ureter. Apropos of a series of 143 cases

The results obtained in 143 cases or ureteral stones treated by EDAP LT-01 were analysed concerning stone location, ureteral manipulation, and treatment position. The ureter was divided into six segments: ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), proximal ureter higher than the lower pole of the kidney (PU1), proximal ureter between the lower pole and the iliac crest (PU2), mid-ureter between the iliac crest and the lower end of the sacroiliac joint (MU), distal ureter between the lower end of the sacroiliac joint and the ischial spine (DU1), and the distal ureter below the ischial spine to the meatus (DU2). The overall fragmentation rate (FR) was 72%, as detailed below: (table; see text) Anesthesia or iv sedation was never used for EPL. 28% of the patients underwent retrograde ureteral manipulation (29/103). For PU1, the FR was twice as high after retrograde manipulation (push back/in situ = 5/8). For UPJ, the supine position was most common. For PU1 and PU2, it was often better to have the patient lie on his side. For DU1 and DU2, a prone position was necessary. For all stones in DU1, the bladder had to be well filled and the FR was higher in DU2 than in DU1. DU2 stones appeared to adhere to the bladder wall or were intravesical (stone in the meatus). The stone-free rate for successfully manipulated ureteral calculi (3 month follow-up) is 93% (27/29). The stone-free rate for in situ stones at 3 months is 94% (70/74). Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy combined with stone manipulation is highly efficient in the management of UPJ, PU1 and DU2 stones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Clinical experience of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for cystine calculi

Thirty patients (16 men and 14 women) with cystine urinary stones were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (Dormer HM-3) from December 1984 through October 1989. The average patient age was 35.2 years with a range of 14 to 59 years. Seventy per cent of these subjects had had previous open surgical operations for stones. The cases consisted of 7 ureteral stones and 37 renal stones, including 15 staghorn calculi. An average of 1.3 session of ESWL was carried out to treat ureteral stones. Thirty-seven renal units with renal stone required 96 sessions of lithotripsy (average 2.6 sessions per unit). Seven patients with ureteral stones required auxiliary procedures, i.e., one transurethral lithotripsy (TUL), two percutaneous nephrostomies (PNS) and one open surgery. Thirty-seven renal stones, including staghorn calculi was treated by ESWL and auxiliary treatment of 21 TUL procedures, one PNS, 16 PNL procedures and one chemical chemolysis. Successful fragmentation (residual debris less than or equal to 4 mm) was achieved in 85.7% of ureteral stones, 90.9% of renal stones and 73.3% of staghorn calculi. The stone free rates of patients with ureteral stones, renal stones and staghorn calculi were 71.4%, 50.0% and 53.5%, respectively, at 3 months after ESWL. No serious complications were seen in this series. Fever above 38.5 degrees C was the most common complications (13.5%). Ureteral perforation was encountered once in TUL procedures. Transfusion and selective arterial embolization were needed for one case treated by PNL procedures. Although cystine stone is harder to be fragmented by ESWL than other stone composition, ESWL and endourology may be effective and safe procedures for cystine stone patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outpatient treatment with extracorporeal lithotriptor for renal and ureteral stones

Between April 1989 and December 1989, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed on 78 outpatients using the EDAP LT-01 device without anesthesia. The locations of total 83 stones were renal pelvis and calyx (45), upper ureter (26) and lower ureter (12). Of the cases with renal stones, 28 (62%) were free of stones, and 8 (18%) had fragments 4 mm in size or less. The over-all successful rate obtained by combining these categories were 80% in renal stones, 81% in upper ureteral stones, and 92% in lower ureteral stones. As complications, gross hematuria, pain which required analgesics, fever of 38 degrees C or higher and vomiting were seen. However, no serious complications were observed.     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for stones in lower ureter.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been accepted as the method of choice for most upper urinary tract calculi. However, in cases of stones in the lower ureter, ureteroscopic procedures have generally been preferred. Using the Dornier HM3 lithotriptor with modifications in the patient's position, we were able to successfully treat 155 unselected cases of lower ureteral calculi. The average stone size was 9.6 mm (range 5-23 mm). One hundred forty-three patients had stones located below the lower margin of the sacroiliac joint. These patients were placed in a supine position. The stones were visualized radiologically without use of a ureteral catheter in 78 percent of the patients; in 22 percent a ureteral catheter was inserted prior to ESWL to aid in stone localization. In 145 patients (94%) treatment was completed in one session; 10 patients (6%) required two sessions. Of the patients, 38 percent were free of stones one day after ESWL; 97 percent became stone free within three months, and only 3 patients required endoscopic manipulation, after ESWL. Twelve patients had stones in the midureter overlying the sacroileum. They were placed in the prone position, and the calculi were visualized with the aid of a ureteral catheter. All these patients became free of stones one month after treatment. There were no significant treatment-related complications except for bacteremia in 1 case. In view of the remarkable efficacy, negligible complication rate, and shorter hospital stay as compared to ureteroscopic stone manipulations, we recommend high energy ESWL as the primary monotherapy of mid and lower ureteral stones.     

Treatment of ureteral calculi by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. UCLA experience

One hundred sixteen patients underwent extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteral stones. In 108 patients, the stones were manipulated pre-ESWL whereas 8 patients underwent ESWL without prior stone manipulation. Ureteral lubrication using a 2% Xylocaine jelly solution greatly facilitated the retrograde advancement of the calculus or the passage of ureteral catheters alongside the stone. ESWL disintegrated all but 4 stones for an overall success rate of 96.6 per cent. It is considered that the combination of retrograde ureteral stone repositioning and ESWL is a highly successful alternative in the management of ureteral calculi.     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy with Lithostar lithotriptor.

Initial experience of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the Lithostar lithotriptor is reported; 193 patients underwent 248 treatments for 210 stones. A total of 139 renal calculi (126 patients) and 71 ureteral stones (67 patients) were analyzed. Treatments were performed without anesthesia in 65 calculi (27.6%), with intravenous sedation in 91 (42.5%), and under epidural anesthesia in 34 calculi (29.9%). A three-month follow-up showed a success rate of 88.0 percent for renal calculi and 95.5 percent for ureteral calculi treated in situ. Renal stone fragmentation was achieved with a mean of 4,890 shocks at 17.4 kV and ureteral calculi were fragmented with a mean number of 4,798 shocks at a mean of 18.3 kV. Auxiliary procedures after ESWL were required in 2 patients with renal stones and in 1 with ureteral calculi. A comparison between stone size and number of shock waves required to achieve stone fragmentation revealed a linear relationship. Hospitalization was not necessary in 84.4 percent of renal calculi and 89.6 percent of ureteral calculi. Retreatments were necessary in 22 (15.8%) of the renal calculi (18 had 2 sessions, 3 had 3 sessions, and 1 had 4 sessions). Of the ureteral calculi, 8 (11.3%) underwent retreatment (6 had 2 sessions, 1 had 3 sessions, and 1 had 4 sessions). The low morbidity with a large number of patients treated on an outpatient basis, minimizing the need for anesthesia, demonstrated a favorable initial successful experience with the Lithostar.     

输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管结石的技巧探讨（附82例报告）

目的：探讨输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管结石的手术技巧。方法：回顾性分析2009年应用输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管结石82例患者的临床资料,并结合文献复习。结果：一次碎石成功率89．2％（83／93）,其中上段、中下段结石一次碎石成功率分别为86．5％（45／52）和92．7％（38／41）,差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。结石被包裹57侧,一次碎石成功率为91．2％（52／57）,未被包裹33侧（3例进镜失败除外）,一次碎石成功率为93．9％（31／33）,差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。有ESWL史者43例47侧,一次碎石成功率为87．2％（41／47）,无ESWL史者$9例46侧,一次碎石成功率为91．3％（42／46）,差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。手术失败共10例lO侧,包括结石上移入肾盏7例,进镜失败3例。手术时间104100rain,平均（38．4±20．9）min;术后住院时间1～20天,平均（4．9±3．O）天。术后泌尿系感染、发热13例,一侧输尿管穿孔1例,无输尿管撕裂、远期输尿管狭窄等并发症。结论：输尿管镜钬激光碎石术是一种治疗输尿管结石安全、高效的方法,尤其适用于ES-WL失败或结石被包裹的患者。持续硬膜外麻醉联合蛛网膜下腔麻醉或全身麻醉有利于输尿管镜成功进镜。采用头高脚低位、缓慢注水、小功率碎石、“蚕食”等方法可以有效防止结石移位。处理合并息肉或被包裹的结石应先处理息肉或包裹组织,暴露结石后再处理结石;对于息肉或包裹组织不必一味追求剔除干净,而残余结石则需仔细清除。正确、熟练掌握输尿管镜钬激光操作技巧可以减少并发症。     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for urinary tract stones using piezoelectric lithotripter (Piezolith)]

A total of 133 stones in renoureteral and bladder units from 122 patients, 8 to 80 years old, were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with the Wolf Piezolith device from November 1989 through December 1990. The 133 stones involved renal stones (91), ureter stones (34) and bladder stones (9). The number of shock waves per session was up to 4,000 shots, the mean number of shots was 3,120. Neither anesthesia nor analgesic agents were used except for epidural anesthesia on 10 and intramuscular analgesics on 8 patients. Fragmentation into particles 4 mm in size or less occurred in 89 of the 91 renal stones (97.8%), 24 of the 34 ureteral stones (70.6%) and 8 of the 8 bladder stones (100%). The mean numbers of treatment on each stone were 3.2, 1.8 and 1.8, respectively. Ultrasound localization restricted treatment of ureteral stones to the most proximal and distal fourth of the ureter.     

Clinical study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for stones in solitary kidney

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment was performed on 17 patients with a solitary or sole functioning kidney from August 1986 to April 1988. Some patients with renal stone had a double pig tail catheter to protect the stone street and those with ureteral stones had a ureteral balloon occlusion catheter to raise the efficiency of fragmentation placed prior to ESWL as much as possible. Combined manipulation with such an instrument as nephrostomy tube to wash out residual stone fragments or endoscopic operation were performed. Despite of these devices, ESWL treatments for staghorn calculi and cystine stones were troublesome in solitary kidneys. After follow up ranged from 9 to 602 days (mean 87.6 days), 10 patients (58.8%) were stone free. ESWL treatment is safe and effective for solitary kidneys. We recommended premedication and pretreatment by ureteral stenting in patients with a solitary kidney.     

Does a slower treatment rate impact the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for solitary kidney or ureteral stones?

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy of an SR (70 to 80 shocks per minute) and an FR (120 shocks per minute) for ESWL for solitary stones less than 2 cm located in the kidney or proximal ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 349 patients with a solitary, radiopaque kidney or ureteral stone underwent ESWL on a DoLi(R) 50 lithotriptor. Patients were grouped based on stone size, stone location and whether SR or FR treatment was performed. Of the 349 patients 135 had a renal stone between 1and 2 cm, 137 had a renal stone less than 1 cm and 77 had a proximal ureteral stone with a surface area of between 30 and 90 mm. SFRs were determined at approximately 1 month by plain x-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder. RESULTS: In comparison to the FR groups SR groups required fewer shocks and had significantly lower power indexes. Of patients with renal stones between 1 and 2 cm 24 of 52 (46%) in the FR group were stone-free compared to 56 of 83 (67%) in the SR group (p <0.05). For stones with a surface area of 30 to 90 mm located in the kidney or proximal ureter there was a trend toward an improved SFR in the SR group but differences between the SR and FR groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: For solitary renal stones between 1 and 2 cm an SR results in a better treatment outcome than an FR for ESWL. However, when stone size is less than 1 cm, SFR differences in the SR and FR treatment groups become less significant.     

Comparative study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy outcomes for proximal and distal ureteric stones

Objective To assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for isolated proximal ureteral calculi and compare it to that for isolated distal calculi. Patient and methods We treated 68 patients with isolated ureteral stones using MPL 9000. Stones were located in the proximal and distal ureters in 44 and 24 patients, respectively. Patients were stratified according to stone burden and degree of obstruction. Data of all patients were prospectively collected for stone burden, stone localization, number of sessions, number of shock waves, stone-free rates (SFRs), complications, re-treatment rates and auxiliary procedures. Outcomes regarding ureteral localization were compared. Results The overall SFR was 85.3% with a 41.2% re-treatment and 17.6% auxiliary procedure rate. The mean number of shock waves applied for each stone was not different among the two ureteral locations. The SFRs were 86.3% and 79.1% for proximal and distal ureteral stones, respectively (P = 0.17). For the group with stones <100 mm2, the SFR was 85.4% and 89.5% for the proximal and distal ureter, respectively. Although the degree of obstruction did not affect SFR of the entire group (P = 0.12) and the proximal ureter group (P = 0.96), it adversely affected SFR in the distal ureter (P = 0.017). Conclusions ESWL outcomes for the ureteral calculi support the use of lithotripsy particularly for stones <100 mm2. Treatment efficacy was not significantly different among stones localized in proximal and distal ureters. Degree of obstruction did not affect the ESWL outcomes in the proximal ureter, but it adversely affected SFR in the distal ureter.     

Piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy by EDAP LT-01: the Singapore experience

One hundred and eighty patients with stones in the calyces, renal pelvis, upper, middle, and lower ureter were treated by piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the EDAP LT-01 lithotripter. The size of the stones treated ranged from 0.5 cm to 6.5 cm with the vast majority (94%) measuring less than 3.0 cm. Forty-eight patients (27%) had multiple stones in the renal collecting system. Successful fragmentation occurred in 79%, partial fragmentation in an additional 17%, and no fragmentation in 4%. Forty percent of patients required repeated treatment with an average of 2.3 sessions. Of those patients treated, none required general anesthesia, however, analgesia was needed in 121 patients (67%). Urosepsis occurred in 4% and 0.5% developed intrarenal hematoma. There was no mortality or loss of renal units in this series. The auxiliary procedure rate was 15% (percutaneous nephrolithotripsy 5%, ureteroscopic manipulation 9%, and open surgery 1%). The 3-month stone-free rate was 64%.     

ESWL treatment of urinary stones at an outpatient clinic]

A total of 107 patients (age: mean 51.6, range 17-85, sex: male 71, female 36) with urinary stones in 112 renoureteral units were subjected to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in situ using an EDAP LT-01 at an outpatient clinic between June 1990 and July 1991. All patients were given an analgesic suppository before ESWL. One ESWL session required 20-60 minutes with a repetition rate of 1.25 Hz, 2.5 Hz or 5 Hz. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in 94 cases consisting of 50 renal units (R1 2, R2 46, R3 2) and 44 ureteral units (U1 16, U2 1, U3 27) three months after the final session according to the criteria reported by Sonoda. Of the 94 cases, 80 cases (85.1%) were stone free and 12 cases (12.8%) had residual fragments of less than 4 mm in diameter. Macroscopic hematuria was seen in all cases. Fever or colicky pain occurred in 3 cases. Outpatient ESWL using the EDAP LT-01 is considered to be safe and efficient for the initial treatment of urinary stones.     

Efficacy of expulsive therapy using nifedipine or tamsulosin,both associated with ketoprofene,after shock wave lithotripsy of ureteral stones

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is currently considered one of the main treatments for ureteral stones. Some studies have reported the effectiveness of pharmacologic therapies (calcium antagonists or alpha-blockers) in facilitating ureteral stone expulsion after ESWL. We prospectively evaluated the efficacy, after ESWL, of nifedipine on upper-middle ureteral stones, and tamsulosin on lower ureteral stones, both associated to ketoprofene as anti-edema agent. From January 2003 to March 2005 we prospectively evaluated 113 patients affected by radiopaque or radiolucent ureteral stones. Average stone size was 10.16 ± 2.00 mm (range 6–14 mm). Thirty-seven stones were located in the upper ureter, 27 in the middle ureter, and 49 in the lower ureter. All patients received a single session of ESWL (mean number of shock waves: 3,500) by means of a Dornier Lithotripter S (mean energy power for each treatment: 84%). Both ultrasound and X-ray were used for stone scanning. After treatment, 63 of 113 patients were submitted to medical therapy to aid stone expulsion: nifedipine 30 mg/day for 14 days administered to 35 patients with upper-middle ureteral stones (group A1) and tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day for 14 days administered to 28 patients with stones located in the distal ureter (group A2). The remaining 50 patients were used as a control group (29 upper–middle ureteral stones—B1—and 21 lower ureteral stones—B2—), receiving only pain-relieving therapy. No significant difference in stone size between the groups defined was observed. Stone clearance was assessed 1 and 2 months after ESWL by means of KUB, ultrasound scan and/or excretory urography. A stone-free condition was defined as complete stone clearance or the presence of residual fragments smaller than 3 mm in diameter. The stone-free rates in the expulsive medical therapy group were 85.7 and 82.1% for the nifedipine (A1) and tamsulosin (A2) groups respectively; stone-free rates in the control groups were 51.7 and 57.1% (B1 and B2, respectively). Five patients (14.3%) in group A1, 5 (17.8%) in group A2, 14 (48.3%) in group B1 and 9 (42.8%) in group B2 were not stone-free after a single ESWL session and required ESWL re-treatment or an endoscopic treatment. Medical therapy following ESWL to facilitate ureteral stone expulsion results in increased 1- and 2-month stone-free rates and in a lower percentage of those needing re-treatment. The efficacy of nifedipine for the upper-mid ureteral tract associated with ketoprofene makes expulsive medical therapy suitable for improving overall outcomes of ESWL treatment for ureteral stones.     

Evaluation of the results of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for solitary upper urinary tract stone

At Osaka City University Hospital, we performed extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for 1277 patients in a total of 1788 sessions using Dornier kidney lithotripter Model HM III from July, 1985 to the end of December, 1988. Among the patients with a solitary stone, 911 cases were available for the follow-up study and we have compared the results among these cases in respect to the stone location and size. The results obtained were as follows: the ratio of kidney stone to ureter stone was found to be 2.2:1 in male, and 3.8:1 in female patients. This indicates that ureter stones are more frequently found in male than in female patients. In addition, we compared the size of kidney stones found in the patients including 415 male and 243 female patients. Stones larger than 20 mm were more frequently found in female than in male patients. Moreover, a stone composition study of these patients showed that the contents of both phosphate calcium and magnesium ammonium phosphate were higher in female than in male patients. ESWL performed against stones at pelvis and calyces exhibited the best results. The results obtained with the stones less than 20 mm in diameter were especially favorable with a success rate of 100% for the stones less than 10 mm and 83% for the stones 10-20 mm, in diameter, while the results with the stones larger than 20 mm in diameter were rather poor with a success rate of 31%. ESWL performed against ureter stones showed poor results with a success rate of 63% for the stones smaller than 20 mm in diameter.