Piezoelectric lithotripsy for gallstones: analysis of results in patients with extended selection

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is successful in fragmenting gallstones, but less than 28 per cent of patients with gallstone disease fulfil the conventional criteria for treatment. However, no data exist to substantiate these selection criteria. In this study, the selection criteria were broadened to include patients with radiolucent stones of any size and number, and radio-opaque stones less than 3 cm in diameter. To date; 108 symptomatic patients with gallstones have received treatment. All patients received up to six outpatient sessions of ESWL (6000 shock waves per session) without sedation or analgesia. The dissolution therapy consisted of combined bile salt and terpene administration. The clearance rates were 9 per cent within 2 months, 21 per cent at 2-4 months, 38 per cent at 4-8 months, 60 per cent at 8-12 months, and 78 per cent at 12-18 months. Of patients with a successful outcome only 19 (18 per cent) would have satisfied traditional selection criteria. There have been no significant complications except in one patient who developed mild acute pancreatitis, which settled on conservative treatment, and two patients who developed acute cholecystitis. This study would suggest that the previously accepted selection criteria underestimate the number of patients suitable for gallstone ESWL and dissolution therapy.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of biliary stones

From Sep. 1988 to Dec. 1989, 163 patients with gallstones and 7 with choledocholith were treated by biliary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). After lithotripsy, ursodeoxycholic acid was administered in 74 patients, and self-made lithoexpulsive in 44 patients. The remaining 52 patients were given both ursodeoxycholic acid and lithoexpulsive. The total rate of stone fragmentation was 97.6%. One hundred and twenty patients were followed up after ESWL. Biliary stones disappeared in 26.6% of the patients within one month after ESWL, in 33.3% within one to three months, and in 36.6% within six to eight months. There were no severe complications. 10.1 percent of the patients had abdominal discomfort during the procedure of ESWL, and cutaneous petechiae were found in 12.2% of the patients. Other complications included biliary colic in 6, jaundice in 2, and hematuria in 2. Serum enzymology and chest X-ray remained unchanged after ESWL.     

The pros and cons of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of gallstone disease.

The recent introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LAPC) has revolutionised the surgical treatment of gallstone disease. However, it has also raised doubts about the future role of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of gallstones. In this study, we compared patients treated successfully with ESWL and dissolution therapy with patients treated by LAPC. Out of 67 patients, 50 had successful clearance with ESWL while 50 out of 54 had successful LAPC. We evaluate treatment duration, recurrence rate (ESWL) and cost of treatment in both groups. All patients had uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones. The inclusion criteria were similar in both groups with the exception of patients with non-functioning gallbladders who were excluded from ESWL. The results of the study show that although ESWL is noninvasive and associated with minimal morbidity, it is also costly and has a high failure and recurrence rate. In contrast, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while requiring short-term hospital stay and debility, seems to be a safe and effective alternative with an advantage in terms of cost and duration of treatment.     

Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy in the treatment of ureteral calculi: a prospective study.

146 patients whose ureteral stones did not pass spontaneously participated in a prospective study on optimal management. Patients were offered two treatment options: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS). The stone was treated with the technique preferred by the patient. In case of treatment failure after first-line therapy, patients again could decide on how to proceed. Stone analysis could be obtained from 72.6% patients. ESWL was the primary treatment in 66.4% patients. In 2 patients, ESWL was the secondary treatment after failed URS. URS was the first-line therapy in 33.6% patients. In 29 patients URS was done after failed ESWL. For analgesia, sedoanalgesia or spinal anesthesia were used. Analgesia was required in 74.2% ESWL and 100% URS sessions. Following ESWL, 70.1% patients became stone free. In 29.9% ESWL failed. Distal stones had a higher failure rate than proximal or mid-ureteral calculi. Distal stones treated without success were significantly larger than those treated successfully. Failures were switched to URS. Stone analysis could be obtained in 26 patients with failed ESWL: 23/26 consisted of pure whewellite or mixed whewellite stones. Clinically relevant complications were not observed. After URS, 94.9% of the patients became stone free. In distal stones, the stone-free rate was 97.5%. There was only 1 relevant complication: a proximal ureteral lesion requiring surgical repair. Our study demonstrates that URS is a safe and highly effective treatment option for ureteral stones. In patients with distal ureteral stones, it should be offered as a first-line treatment. When whewellite is expected as the stone mineral, URS is the treatment of choice.     

体外冲击波碎石在治疗结石形成导致双J管滞留中的价值

目的探讨体外冲击波碎石术在在治疗结石形成导致双J管滞留的应用价值。方法 2003年1月～2012年1月对31例经皮肾镜气压弹道碎石术、输尿管镜检查及碎石术后结石形成导致双J管滞留者采用体外冲击波碎石,电压从6kV开始,根据患者耐受力逐渐增加至7 kV,冲击次数3000～3500次,时间约90 min。冲击从膀胱端开始,依次为输尿管、肾盂,重点冲击肾盂输尿管连接部,当透视发现结石与双J管分离且结石直径〈3 mm治疗结束。结果 22例1次ESWL后双J管顺利拔出;5例2次ESWL后拔出;2例2次ESWL后仍不能拔出,改行输尿管镜后顺利拔出;2例由于结石较大且合并肾盂结石改行微通道经皮肾镜取石术后顺利拔出双J管。31例术后随访6个月,26例无结石复发,5例复发肾结石（4例行排石药物治疗,1例行体外冲击波碎石治疗,结石均顺利排出）。结论对于结石形成导致双J管滞留,ESWL是一种简单、安全、有效的治疗方法。     

纤维胆道镜联合体外冲击波碎石治疗术后胆管残留大结石

目的　探索纤维胆道镜联合体外冲击波碎石 (ESWL )治疗术后胆管残留大结石的临床效果。方法　对经 T管造影或纤维胆道镜诊疗后判定为难以取除的胆管残留大结石 2 3例 ,均采用体外冲击波碎石后纤维胆道镜取石治疗 ,并对碎石前后血常规、肝功能、血淀粉酶等指标进行比较分析。结果　 1次性碎石取石成功 1 7例 ,2次碎石取石成功 3例 ,3次碎石取石成功 2例 ,中途放弃治疗 1例 ,成功率 95 .6 5 % (2 2 / 2 3)。碎石治疗前后相关检查的变化无显著性差异 (P>0 .0 5 ) ,未出现胆道感染、急性胰腺炎等严重并发症。结论　纤维胆道镜联合体外冲击波碎石是术后胆管残留大结石安全、可行、有效的治疗方法     

体外冲击波碎石术治疗肾感染石

作者采用体外冲击波碎石术连续性治疗72例肾感染石,观察其疗效。部分性鹿角结石69例,完全性鹿角结石3例.总共93枚,直径1.4～4.7cm,平均2.2 cm。在16例结石体积较大的患者中,术前15例放置双J管,1例放置Dormia支架、单次治愈者63.89％(46例),2次者19.44％(14例),3次者9.72％(7例),4次者2.78％(2例),5次者2.78％(2例),失败者1.39％(1例)。术后因尿路感染发热者9例,均用抗生素治愈。作者认为,采用体外冲击波治疗肾感染石是一种安全有效的方法。并侧重探讨了碎石过程中的定位技术和冲击方法以及有关尿路感染的预防和治疗。     

体外冲击波碎石术治疗上尿路尿酸结石

作者采用超声定位的压电晶体式体外冲击波碎石术连续性治疗１２１例上尿路尿酸结石，观察其碎石疗效。肾结石１１２例，共１６７枚，结石长径０．５～３．５ｃｍ，平均０．８６ｃｍ；输尿管结石９例，长径０．６～１．３ｃｍ，平均０．８４ｃｍ。２例输尿管上段结石接受了重定位辅助治疗，其余均采用原位治疗。单次治愈者为８０．９９％，２次者１２．４０％，３次者４．９６％，４次者１．６５％。所有患者术后均未发生严重并发症。作者认为采用超声定位的压电晶体式碎石机治疗尿酸结石是一种较为理想的方法，并侧重探讨了尿酸结石的Ｂ超定位技术、碎石过程中的冲击方法和术后碱性药物的应用。     

Electromagnetic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed for the treatment of urinary tract calculi in 28 children. All treatments were done with the standard Siemens Lithostar device in situ: no special adaptations for adequate positioning of children are required to target the stone precisely. A total of 42 calculi in 30 renal units was treated, requiring 50 ESWL sessions. The mean energy used was 16.4 kv. and the number of shock waves averaged 3,188. Mean fluoroscopy time per session was 1.5 minutes. In 26 of 50 sessions (52%) general anesthesia was needed for the child to remain perfectly still. A complete stone-free rate was achieved in 38 of 42 calculi (90.5%): after 1 session in 30 (71.4%), after 2 sessions in 6 (13.7%) and after 3 sessions in 2 (4.8%). Five staghorn calculi were treated with ESWL monotherapy. A complete stone-free result was obtained after 3 treatments in 2 patients, while 2 had residual fragments in the lower pole (5 mm. after 6 sessions and 11 months of followup in 1, and 7 mm. after 3 sessions and 3 months of followup in 1). A cystine staghorn stone necessitated open nephrolithotomy after 3 sessions without any fragmentation. One impacted sacroiliac ureteral stone required endoscopic laser lithotripsy. Except for these 2 failures no adjuvant procedures were needed. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications and minor skin bruising at the coupling site after 3 treatments did not require any therapy. We conclude that electromagnetic ESWL with the standard Lithostar unit is a safe and effective method to treat calculi throughout the urinary tract in children.     

Selection of patients for gallstone lithotripsy

Although alternatives to cholecystectomy are now available to treat patients with gallstones, the primary treatment of gallstone disease remains surgical. It is therefore important to distinguish those patients who would benefit most from nonoperative therapy of gallstones from those who require cholecystectomy while ensuring patient safety. Current criteria for selection of patients for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are presented herein. In addition, preliminary results from recent in vitro experiments with human gallstones obtained at cholecystectomy are outlined. The current criteria for selection of patients for treatment with ESWL are similar to those used in the initial German experience. They appear to ensure patient safety, but the actual conditions that predict successful treatment of gallstones by ESWL are not yet known, since the clinical and in vitro studies which will define the patient and stone characteristics that predict a successful treatment outcome are still in progress. Thus, current criteria should be considered guidelines for treatment which will most certainly be modified as experience is gained with ESWL.     

Lithotripsy of gallbladder stones in 1992: Improved indications and actual results

ESWL of gallbladder stones and subsequent adjuvant oral dissolution is a safe and comfortable therapy of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. This method is limited on highly selected 10 to 15% of patients. Recent experience indicates that the ideal indication is given in patients with radiolucent solitary gallstones (diameter ≤2 cm) which are harboured in a gallbladder with unimpaired contractility. 1 year after ESWL 80% of those patients present with a stone free gallbladder. Computed tomography of gallstones may probably improve selection of patients and therapeutic success.      

Primary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of staghorn renal calculi.

186 patients with partial and 55 patients with complete renal staghorn calculi were treated with primary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) at the Department of Urology, University of Würzburg Medical School. Partial staghorn calculi required an average of 1.4, complete staghorn calculi an average of 2.2 treatment sessions using the Dornier HM 3 lithotriptor. 55% of all patients and 46% of the patients with complete staghorn calculi were rendered stone-free within 1 year after ESWL. Pretreatment urinary tract infections present in 50.6% of all patients could be reduced to 22.5% 1 year after ESWL. The most frequent complications after ESWL were ureteral obstruction caused by 'steinstrasse' (41.4%), fever (38.4%), and renal colics (29.4%). Severe complications needing open operative procedures or blood transfusions did not occur. 50% of all patients underwent auxiliary procedures (e.g. insertion of indwelling ureteral stents: 25.3%, percutaneous nephrostomy: 20.3%, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: 2.9%). Pretreatment insertion of an indwelling ureteral stent was found to reduce posttreatment complications as well as the need for percutaneous nephrostomy only in patients with partial staghorn calculi. The data presented in this study demonstrate that primary ESWL therapy can be safely and successfully performed in the majority of patients with renal staghorn calculi. In patients requiring complete removal of all stone fragments, a percutaneous lithotripsy can be performed following ESWL.     

Pediatric staghorn calculi: the role of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy with special reference to ureteral stenting

PURPOSE: Treatment for staghorn calculi in children represents a unique challenge. We assessed the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) monotherapy for the management of staghorn calculi in children with special reference to ureteral stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1992 to January 2001 we treated 42 children 9 months to 12 years old with staghorn stones using the Piezolith 2501 (Richard Wolf GmBH, Knittlingen, Germany) lithotriptor. The initial group of 19 patients underwent ESWL without prophylactic ureteral stenting, while in the latter group of 23 a Double-J (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) ureteral stent was inserted immediately before the first ESWL session. Mean patient age, stone size, number of shock waves and ESWL sessions, hospital stay, stone-free rate and major complications were compared in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Overall 33 children (79%) were stone-free after 3 months. The 2 groups were comparable in regard to patient age, stone size, number of shock waves and ESWL sessions, and stone-free rates. Major complications developed in 21% of the unstented group, whereas none were observed in stented cases. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.035). Seven post-ESWL auxiliary procedures were required in the unstented group to manage complications. Hospital stay was significantly longer in the unstented compared with the stented group (p = 0.022). At a followup of 9 to 102 months (mean 47) stones recurred in 2 children, who were treated with further ESWL. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL monotherapy was an efficient and safe modality for the treatment of staghorn calculi in children. Stented patients had fewer major complications and a shorter hospital stay. Prophylactic ureteral stenting is advisable before ESWL for staghorn calculi in children.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the management of complex biliary tract stone disease.

The use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the management of ten patients with complex biliary tract stones is described. General or epidural anesthesia was used in all cases, and stone fragmentation was performed, using an unmodified Dornier HM3 waterbath lithotripter (Dornier Medical Systems Inc., Marietta, GA). In all cases, biliary drainage was established before the procedure to allow contrast visualization during and after the procedure, as well as to ensure free drainage of the common bile duct. Indications for ESWL included failure of basket extraction (4 cases), unfavorable anatomy (duodenal diverticulum, previous Billroth II reconstruction, hepatic duct stone, gallbladder stone, cystic duct remnant stone), and immaturity of the T-tube tract (2 cases). Cholangitis was the presenting diagnosis in four cases. Fragmentation of the stones was successful in all patients; in two cases, two ESWL sessions were needed for stone disruption. Morbidity was minimal (there was a minor elevation of LDH and transaminases and asymptomatic hemobilia and hematuria); pancreatitis did not occur. After ESWL, hospital stays ranged from 1 to 13 days (mean of 5.3 days). ESWL can be a valuable adjunct in the management of patients with complex biliary stones.     

Urine cytology in patients with urinary tract calculosis

Urinary cytological examination was performed on 375 patients suffering from urolithiasis at the Department of Urology, University School of Medical Sciences, Bydgoszcz between 01.01.1991 and 31.12.1992. 189 were female(mean age: 47.5 years), 186 were male (mean age: 53.5 years). We found dysplastic cells in urinary sediments in 25.3% of patients before therapy and in 5.3% of patients after conservative or traditional operation and interventional therapy (ESWL, PCNL). Degenerated cells were found in 72%of patients before therapy and in 30.4% after therapy only. In our group neoplasmatical cells were not found. Inflammatory background was found in 44.5% before and in 21.9% after therapy, pyuria in 19.7% and 0.8%respectively. In urinary sediments we found concrements in 24% of patients before and 7.7% after therapy. However, 20 (51.3%) of 39 patients after interventional therapy (ESWL, PCNL) had concrements in urinary sediments. In conclusion, no abnormality was seen in 85.1% before therapy and in 31.2% after therapy. The significance of cytological examination in management of calculous diseases was discussed. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Monotherapy with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal and ureteral stones]

We performed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as a monotherapy using the Medstone STS lithotripter on 288 patients with renal and ureteral stones between June, 1989 and June, 1991. We compared our results with previous reports on ESWL as used in combination therapy. Our cases consisted of 121 patients with renal stones and 167 patients with ureteral stones. A total of 437 sessions of lithotripsy were performed on 288 patients, for an average of 1.52 sessions of lithotripsy per patient. The percentage of stones measuring less than 4.0 mm in diameter that were fragmented was 94.3% for renal stones and 87.6% for ureteral stones. The stone-free rates 3 months after ESWL were 60.3% and 90.4%, respectively. Our results of the monotherapy with ESWL did not differ from those reported on ESWL as used in combination therapy, in terms of the rate of stone destruction and stone-free rates. We studied the other reports carefully and determined that ESWL monotherapy could have been performed in most those cases. We concluded that ESWL monotherapy is an excellent therapeutic method in the light of fewer complications and side effects compared with those from combination therapy, and the fact that the rate of recurrence for renal and ureteral stones is high makes ESWL monotherapy very useful because the procedure can be repeated.     

The efficacy and parenchymal consequences of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in infants

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in young children and to evaluate, using renal scintigraphy, any possible adverse effects on renal parenchyma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to October 1998, 19 infants (aged 5-24 months) underwent ESWL for kidney urolithiasis using a Sonolith 3000 (14 kV, Technomed Corp, Lyon, France) or a Nova (14-20 kV, Direx Medical Systems, Paris, France) lithotripter. The treatment and its effects were evaluated using a physical examination, conventional imaging (plain abdominal X-ray and ultrasonography) and renal scintigraphy 24 h before ESWL and again at least 6 months after the last session of treatment. RESULTS: Ten children were rendered stone-free by ESWL after one session and 18 after two sessions. At the follow-up (8 months to 8 years, mean 36 months) no hypertension was recorded and no acquired parenchymal damage was detected with conventional imaging. No scars or significant variation of differential function attributable to ESWL were identified on renal scintigraphy. CONCLUSION: ESWL is clearly effective for treating infant urolithiasis. There were no renal parenchymal lesions associated with ESWL, even in previously damaged kidneys or after the treatment of staghorn calculi. A long-term follow-up (assessing blood pressure) is mandatory and renal scintigraphy before and 6 months after ESWL in infants is recommended to confirm these results in a larger series.     

Sonographic classification of gallstones and outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

The success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for gallstone elimination is dependent on the lithotripter's ability to reduce the stone to fragments less than 5 mm in diameter, but wide variation in successful fragmentation rates have been reported even with the same instrument. This variation is probably due in part to differences in stone composition. Tsuchiya et al. have recently related the pre-operative ultrasound properties of gallstones to their chemical compositions. In the present study, 138 patients with cholecystolithiasis were treated with ESWL and results were evaluated in light of the pre-treatment sonogram patterns as classified by the aforementioned authors. Complete fragmentation (CF), i.e., fragments less than 5 mm, was achieved in 90% of patients with type I a patterns (pure cholesterol stones); stone number, diameter, and volume had no effects on fragmentation. Significantly lower CF rates were obtained with I b and I c (mixed cholesterol), and type II (combination) stones (p less than 0.0003). No fragmentation at all was achieved in the six stones with type III (bilirubinate) patterns. Twelve months after treatment, 45%, 25%, and 9% of the patients with type 1 a, type I b, and types I c or II (the latter two combined), respectively, were stone-free. Pure and mixed cholesterol gallstones without calcification seem to respond best to ESWL; effective treatment can be expected even when stones are numerous (4-10) or large ( greater than 35 mm). We recommend the inclusion of ultrasound properties of gallstones in the selection criteria for candidates for ESWL.     

Clinical application of Sonolith 2000 on Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for renal and ureteral calculi

The collaborate studies of clinical application of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) using Sonolith 2000, performed at Departments of Urology of Nara Medical University, the University of Tokai School of Medicine and Wakayama Medical College between March and August 1987, were reported. In total 155 ESWL sessions were carried out on 111 patients suffering from in total 119 upper urinary tract stones. The localization system using ultrasound imaging with a computer assisted multiarticulated arm were evaluated as excellent or effective in 117 cases (98.3%). The stone fragmentations were evaluated as excellent (less than or equal to 3 mm) or effective (less than or equal to 5 mm) in 101 cases (84.9%). On the X-ray film obtained six weeks after the final ESWL treatments, 61 cases (51.3%) were free from stone fragments, 20 cases (16.8%) had sand-like fragments and 18 cases (15.1%) had stone fragments less than 5 mm. 99 cases (83.2%) without stone or with stone fragments less than 5 mm were considered to be with satisfactory results. No serious adverse effect was observed, but petchia on the flanks where shock wave penetrated and mild hematuria were observed in all cases. It is concluded that ESWL treatment using Sonolith 2000 is applicable in the managements of patients with the upper urinary tract stones without serious adverse effects.