Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy as monotherapy of staghorn renal calculi: 3 years of experience

From May 1985 to February 1988, 61 patients with renal staghorn calculi (41 with incomplete C4 and 20 with complete C5 lesions) underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy. Of the patients 37 were treated without preoperative Double-J* stenting, while 24 underwent Double-J stenting before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Of the patients with incomplete staghorn calculi (C4) and a preoperative ureteral stent 85% were free of stones after 6 months in contrast to only 52.4% of those without a stent and 85.7% of those with infected C4 calculi who underwent preoperative stenting. Hospitalization decreased from 17.7 days in patients without a stent to 14.2 days after stenting, followed by the number of auxiliary procedures (nephrostomy, Zeiss loop and ureteroscopy) and postoperative complications. Complete staghorn calculi (C5) without a preoperative stent had the smallest success rate of stone elimination: only 43.7% of the patients were free of stones after 6 months with a rehospitalization rate of 62.5%. For incomplete staghorn renal calculi (C4) extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy with a preoperative Double-J stent is the noninvasive method that offers excellent stone elimination (85%), comparable to the results of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (with or without complementary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) and anatrophic nephrolithotomy.     

肾鹿角形结石的3种治疗方法比较

目的：总结肾鹿角形结石的治疗经验。方法：应用体外冲击波碎石(ESWL)，开放手术，经皮肾镜取石术(PCNL)，治疗鹿角形结石102例．并随访其疗效及并发症的发生率。结果：EWSL57例，3个月后结石排净率86％；开放手术36例．手术均获成功，无石率达92％；PCNL9例，3个月后结石排净率为89％。结论：PCNL加ESWL为首选方法，ESWL适用于无肾盂肾盏扩张的部分鹿角形结石．开放手术可作为适当的补充术式。     

Current concepts in the relative efficacy of percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Summary Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) have largely replaced open surgical operations for the management of upper urinary tract calculi. ESWL is generally preferred for calculi less than or equal to 2 cm as morbidity is lower than PCNL and success rates comparable. However, the morbidity of ESWL rises substantially for stones greater than 2 cm, while the stone-free rate is lessened compared to PCNL (41% vs. 82%, p<0.01), suggesting that PCNL is preferred for most larger stones. Results for staghorn calculi comparable to anatrophic nephrolithotomy with lowered morbidity may be achieved with PCNL followed by ESWL. PCNL is also preferred for stone-containing, calyceal diverticula.     

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.     

Open stone surgery: Is it still a preferable procedure in the management of staghorn calculi?

We reviewed 43 patients with staghorn calculi to determine the effectiveness of various treatment modalities such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy, ESWL and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) combined therapy, and open stone surgery. While ESWL monotherapy and ESWL+PCNL were performed in 25 and 8 patients, respectively, 10 patients underwent open stone surgery. Of the 25 patients treated with ESWL, 8 were stone-free, whereas 4 out of 8 patients treated with ESWL+PCNL and 8 out of 10 patients treated with open surgery were stone-free. The complications of ESWL monotherapy consisted of pyelonephritis in one patient, and stone street formations in three. In the group of ESWL+PCNL, one patient developed pyonephrosis, and another perinephritic abscess. No serious complication was noted in patients who underwent open surgery, but an average of 525 ml of blood transfusion was required. We conclude that open stone surgery, although invasive, is still beneficial in the treatment of staghorn calculi. Presented at the 10th Congress of the European Association of Urology, July 1992, Genoa.     

Staghorn calculi: analysis of treatment results between initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy with reference to surface area.

Treatment recommendations and results reported for the management of staghorn calculi are highly variable. In an attempt to provide a more objective means to compare treatment results for staghorn renal calculi, stone burden as measured by stone surface area was used. Stone surface area was determined by computer analysis. A total of 380 cases of staghorn calculi treated at the same institution was evaluated. Treatment consisted of initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy with or without extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) in 298 cases and ESWL monotherapy in 82. When considered as a group, the overall stone-free rate for initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (mean surface area 1,378.3 mm.2) was 84.2% compared to 51.2% (p less than 0.0001) for ESWL monotherapy (mean surface area 693.4 mm.2). For staghorn calculi smaller than 500 mm.2 a stone-free rate of 94.4% was achieved in the percutaneous nephrostolithotomy with or without ESWL group compared to 63.2% for ESWL monotherapy (p = 0.0214). For calculi of 501 to 1,000 mm.2 the stone-free rates were 86% and 45.7%, respectively (p less than 0.0001). When stone surface area exceeded 1,000 mm.2 the stone-free rate for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy with or without ESWL was 82.4% but it was only 22.2% for ESWL monotherapy (p = 0.0002). Overall, when adjusted for stone surface area the odds of being stone-free were more than 8 times higher for initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy versus ESWL monotherapy (odds ratio = 8.36, p less than 0.0001). While percutaneous nephrostolithotomy with or without ESWL appears to be the procedure of choice for most staghorn stones, ESWL monotherapy may have a role for some stones smaller than 500 mm.2. In 12 such cases associated with a nondilated renal collecting system (mean surface area 380.5 mm.2) a stone-free rate of 91.7% was achieved. The number of procedures required to complete therapy was higher in the initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy group (2.8 versus 2.1, p less than 0.0001). Although complications were more common in the ESWL monotherapy group (manifested as obstruction in 30.5%), bleeding requiring blood transfusion was more frequent in the initial percutaneous nephrostolithotomy group (9.4%).     

Percutaneous debulking of staghorn stones combined with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: results and complications

The results and complications of 122 percutaneous debulking of staghorn stones are carefully reviewed, discriminating between dilated and not dilated kidneys. Percutaneous debulking can be defined as satisfactory in about 70% of the cases. In the remaining 30% of the cases (mostly not dilated kidneys) it has got little or no results. The overall complication rate is quite low and most of the common complications can be prevented. Percutaneous procedures in nondilated kidneys have an overall complication rate highly superior to that in dilated kidneys. It should be preferable to treat as many staghorn stones as possible in nondilated kidneys with staged extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy, stenting the ureter and monitoring the urinary infection. Struvite stones are best suitable for stented ESWL because of their fragility. In case of cystine or oxalate monohydrate staghorn stone open surgery might be preferable in virgin patients, but it is often refused by the patients.     

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)     

Multimodal treatment (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endourology) of complicated renal stone disease

From October 1983, (installation of the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy unit) to August 1985, 207 patients presented at the Katharinenhospital Stuttgart with complicated renal stone disease (70 borderline stones, 77 partial and 60 complete staghorn calculi). 197 patients were treated with the new technology for urinary stone therapy, i.e. extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN), and ureterorenoscopy. The combination of PCN and ESWL proved to be the optimal therapeutic approach in the majority of cases (44%), particularly for partial and complete staghorns, whereas PCN or ESWL monotherapy are indicated for borderline stones (51% ESWL, 26% PCN, 20% combination, 3% surgery) and selected cases of staghorn calculi only. Based on this treatment policy (minimal invasiveness and morbidity), 75 patients with partial staghorn (21% ESWL, 28 PCN, 44% combination, 7% surgery) and 52 cases of complete staghorn stone (2% ESWL, 13% PCN, 74% combination, 11% surgery) have been treated successfully. The rate of major complications was low (2.5% septicemia, 2% major renal hemorrhage, 0.5% mortality). With this new concept of multimodal therapy (ESWL and endourology), even cases of malignant stone formation ('stone cancer') may be treatable, since these methods can be applied repeatedly without damaging the renal parenchyma.     

Clinical experiences of renal and upper ureter stone by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). II: 3-month follow-up of cases treated with ESWL

Fifty three out of 60 cases treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), were followed up for 3 months. Forty four of the patients had renal stones (2 had bilateral renal stones, 3 had staghorn calculi, 2 had incomplete staghorn calculi, 10 had multiple renal stones), 2 had the unilateral renal and ureteral stones and 16 had ureteral stone. The stone had been discharged completely within 3 months in 47 cases (86.8%), and residual stones were noticed in 6 cases (11%), two of which had stone discharge after retreatment with ESWL. The other cases are being followed up without further treatment, because the residual sandy stones are thought to be able to be discharged spontaneously.     

Staghorn calculi of the kidney: classification and therapy

Following the introduction of new techniques, the reclassification of staghorn calculi is indicated in order to establish the most suitable form of treatment. Of 269 patients with staghorn calculi treated over a 3-year period, 56% underwent extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy; 16% required open surgery and the remaining 28% underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) with ultrasound in association with ESWL. The latter group has been reviewed, taking into account invasiveness, results, complications and cost effectiveness. A combination of PCNL and ESWL was beneficial in patients in whom percutaneous access through a single tract removed more than 70% of the stone. As a result of these findings, the authors propose a revised classification of staghorn calculi.     

Clinical experiences of renal and ureteral stones by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). IV: 3-year clinical experience of cases treated with ESWL

We report our 3-year experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) since we first used it for upper urinary tract stones on September 1st, 1984. A total of 1,225 patients (1,320 cases) underwent 1,647 sessions with ESWL; They consisted of 855 males (70%) and 370 females (30%). Treated stone locations were 593 renal stones, which contained 112 complete staghorn calculi, 504 ureteral stones, 110 renoureteral stones, and 1 bladder stone. ESWL monotherapy was performed on 90% of cases with renal and ureteral stones, and 46% of cases with complete staghorn calculi. In all the cases so far observed for more than 12 weeks after ESWL, 84.9% of the former showed complete discharge of the stones, and 0.7% showed no change. Only 48.9% of the later showed the complete discharge of the stones, 43.3% of which had residual stones, and 7.8% had fragments of the size of small beans. Complications, which were fever and pain, were noticed in 33.6% of the cases with renal and ureteral stones, and 64.3% of the cases with complete staghorn calculi. After ESWL, hematuria was noticed in almost cases, but the average volume of hemorrhage was 28 +/- 33 ml/day. The only contraindication of ESWL was severe obesity, and in the cases in which spontaneous stone discharge can be expected.     

Primary in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of ureteric calculi: results with a third-generation lithotripter.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of primary in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the treatment of ureteric stones using a third-generation lithotripter, the Dornier MFL 5000 (Dornier Medizentechnic, Germany). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective review of treatment outcome in 180 patients with 196 stones who were treated with primary in situ ESWL, assessing the success of this approach and establishing reasons for failure. RESULTS: At the 3-month follow-up, 88% of patients were stone-free; 21 patients failed ESWL and were treated by ureteroscopic stone extraction with no complications. Stone-free rates were 90% for upper ureteric, 89% for middle-third and 86% for lower-third calculi. Twenty-one patients required auxiliary procedures in the form of JJ stenting or nephrostomy. Failure of ESWL was associated with stone size (>1.3 cm) but not location or inadequate treatment. CONCLUSION: Where prompt access to ESWL is available, primary in situ ESWL remains an effective form of treatment for all ureteric calculi, although stone-free rates are lower for larger stones.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy in the treatment of staghorn calculi

From October, 1987 to September, 1989, 53 staghorn calculi of 51 patients underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy by using Dornier HM3 lithotriptor. All patients were treated with double J stenting preoperatively. Mean number of shock waves was 6092 and mean number of sessions was 2.1. In 52 out of 53 kidneys (98%), the stones were disintegrated completely. Complete removal of the stone were observed in 29 kidneys (55%) 3 months after the last ESWL treatment. Complications consisted of fever attack (more than 38 degrees C) (26 patients), ileus (2), subcapsular hematoma (2) and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1). They could be conservatively treated except one case with percutaneous nephrostomy. Supplementary procedures for the stone street were necessary in 23 patients. They consisted of ESWL (16 patients) and transuretheral lithotripsy (7). The indication of this procedure for the treatment of staghorn calculi was also discussed.     

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, endourology and open surgery: the management and follow-up of 200 patients with urinary calculi

The management and follow up of 200 consecutive patients with renal and ureteric calculi are presented. The primary treatment of 185 (92.5%) was by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), of whom three (1.6)%) with large calculi underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) prior to ESWL as a planned combined procedure. Twelve (6%) were treated by PCNL or ureterorenoscopy (URS) as their definitive treatment and three (1.5%) by conventional open renal and ureteric surgery. The average in-patient stay was 3.8 days and most returned to normal activity within one day of discharge. Of the 185 patients 102 (55%) required no analgesia after treatment by ESWL, 29 (15.6%) required parenteral analgesia and the rest were comfortable with oral non-narcotic medication. Thirty (16%) required auxillary treatment by percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), PCNL and URS following ESWL for obstructive complications from stone particles. Two required further ESWL and one PCNL at three months for large fragments. Overall, open surgery was required for only 1% of renal calculi and 13% of ureteric stones. These results are consistant with the extensive West German experience confirming that most urinary calculi are now best managed by ESWL and endoscopic techniques. Where these facilities are available open surgery should only be necessary for less than 5% of upper urinary tract stones.     

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy monotherapy for large renal calculi

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy with a Dornier HM3 lithotripter was used to treat 199 large (greater than or equal to 3 cm) renal calculi. Calculi were classified as solitary (29), multiple (152) or staghorn (18) with stone-free rates of 55.2, 39.5 and 55.6% respectively. The stone-free rate was not statistically related to stone size, site or multiplicity. Complications occurred in 24 patients (12.8%) and were more common with solitary and staghorn calculi. ESWL is not recommended as primary treatment for most patients with large renal calculi.     

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.     

Combination of percutaneous surgery and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for the treatment of large renal calculi

Open surgery for large or complex renal calculi may be difficult, particularly in patients with recurrent stones, and may require special operative techniques to preserve renal function. With the advent of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) new approaches are now available for the treatment of these difficult cases. A review of 67 patients who presented between November 1984 and May 1986 has shown that it was possible to clear large stones in 71% of patients using a combination of PCNL and ESWL. There was no mortality; the morbidity for both procedures was low and was less than when either procedure was used alone for the treatment of complex stones.     

Clinical experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in renal and ureteral stones. The 3rd report: Treatment of 59 cases (64 renal stones) of complete staghorn calculi

This report describes the treatment of 64 cases of complete staghorn calculi using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Thirty cases (46.8%) were successfully treated using ESWL monotherapy and the rest of the cases (53.2%) required ESWL combined with an auxiliary procedure. Forty-four of the cases (68.7%) had symptoms such as fever and pain after ESWL. These cases were treated with chemotherapeutic agents and an auxiliary procedure. X-ray examination showed that the result of ESWL treatment was satisfactory in 97.4% of the 34 cases followed up for more than 12 weeks after ESWL. Based on the results of this study, the following plan of treatment for complete staghorn calculi has been adopted in our hospital. ESWL monotherapy is performed in cases without a dilated collecting system or stricture. ESWL combined with an auxiliary procedure is performed in cases with a dilated collecting system, stricture, ileal conduit and solitary kidney.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for large renal stones. To what size is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy alone feasible?

The complications after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for large renal calculi could be reduced by insertion of ureteral stents. In a prospective study, the critical stone size for ESWL combined with ureteral stenting was looked for. Sixty consecutive patients entered the study, 17 patients suffered from renal calculi with a length of greater than 4 cm and a width of greater than 3 cm (group 1), and in 43 patients the calculi measured between 4 x 3 and 2.5 x 1.5 cm2 (group 2). ESWL was performed with the Dornier apparatus HM-3. A ureteral stent was placed immediately before ESWL. In group 1 with very large stones, significantly more obstructive problems were encountered. Three months after ESWL, only 6 of 14 (43%) were free of stones or with stone material likely to discharge spontaneously. In group 2, a success rate of 25 of 29 (86%) was noticed, which was considered satisfactory. For most stones greater than 4 x 3 cm2 the combination of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ESWL seems to be the preferred treatment.