Push and smash increases success rates in treatment of ureteric calculi by ESWL

During a 3-year period 105 patients underwent attempted retrograde manipulation for ureteric calculi into the renal pelvis prior to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The success rate of this group was compared to 93 patients receiving ESWL of ureteric calculi in situ. The method of retrograde manipulation was recorded prospectively. Retrograde flushing with a 5 F Tiemann ureteral catheter was performed after coating the proximal ureter and renal pelvis with a mixture of saline and lidocaine gel. Success rate of calculi push was 91.4%. Mean number of ESWL treatments in this group of patients was 1.4, compared to 2.1 in patients with in situ treatment. Reposition of ureteric calculi prior to ESWL treatment increases successful initial treatment and can be performed easily.     

Do upper ureteral stones need to be manipulated (push back) into the kidneys before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy?

The current practice for the management of upper ureteral stones is to push the stone back into the renal pelvis before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*). The results in 903 patients with an upper third ureteral stone pushed back before ESWL were compared to those of 815 with an upper third ureteral stone treated by ESWL in situ with a ureteral stent bypassing the stone. The stone size in the in situ group was larger than in the push back group. More shocks at a higher kilovoltage were required to treat the in situ group. The retreatment rate and post-ESWL secondary procedure rate for the push back group with single stones were 4% and 1.5%, respectively, compared to 5% and 7.5%, respectively, for the in situ group. The stone-free rate with single stones at 3 months was 73% in the push back group and 79% in the in situ group. There appears to be little advantage in manipulating a ureteral stone into the kidney (push back) before treatment by ESWL.     

Efficacy of in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for upper ureteral calculi

In contrast to the majority of renal calculi, in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for upper ureteral stones is still controversial. Some centers recommend retrograde mobilization of the calculus into the renal pelvis prior to ESWL as a routine procedure (UC + ESWL). To evaluate the efficiency of in situ ESWL for upper ureteric stones, we initiated a prospective clinical trial. From July 1985 to January 1986, 122 patients presented with upper ureteral calculi, necessitating a total of 146 different procedures: 88 in situ ESWL; 31 UC + ESWL; 15 antegrade ureteroscopies (URS); 6 retrograde URS; 2 open surgery (ureterolithotomy, nephrectomy), and 4 patients were managed conservatively. Of all 99 patients treated at the lithotripter, 80 patients received in situ ESWL (no emergency case, no location problems): in 60 patients (75%) the stone could be disintegrated in one session; 8 patients (10%) required a second ESWL session due to partial fragmentation. Retrograde mobilization using a ureteral catheter or URS was necessary in 9 patients due to failure of in situ ESWL (11%) and, in only 3 patients, we had to remove the stone by antegrade URS (4%). In conclusion, 96% of all upper ureteric stones suitable for primary ESWL could be treated by a noninvasive (in situ ESWL) or minimally invasive (UC + ESWL) procedure. Therefore we recommend in situ ESWL for these calculi. Primary retrograde mobilization is only indicated in case of location problems (stone close to the spine, obesity, skeleton deformation) or emergency cases (colic, hydronephrosis). Antegrade URS should be performed if retrograde mobilization fails or in emergency cases (acute pyelonephritis, following percutaneous nephrostomy, after clinical stabilization). The rate of open surgery is below 2%.     

Percutaneous chemolitholysis of cystine stone

Although cystine stone accounts for only 1-3% of renal calculi, many of the pure cystine stones usually can not be fragmented by ESWL and the residuals after PCNL is quite common. Percutaneous dissolution alone or combined with ESWL and PCNL could successfully dissolve these stones including all the residuals. This paper reported seven patients (8 pieces of renal and 2 pieces of ureteral stones) with cystine calculi in whom percutaneous renal irrigation or per-ureteral catheter irrigation with tromethamine-E (THAM-E) were performed for a relatively short period of time. All the stones disappeared completely or near completely. The authors recommend that percutaneous irrigation alone (including irrigation with ureteral catheter) or combined with PCNL and ESWL are the method of choice in the treatment of pure cystine stone of the kidney.     

Experience in 3,500 patients with urinary stones treated with the Dornier HM-4 bath-free lithotriptor

During a 3-year period, hundreds of patients underwent ESWL treatment with the Dornier HM-3 and HM-4 lithotriptors operating at our institution. Our experience in 3,500 patients treated with the HM-4 bath-free lithotriptor is reported. Patients with radiolucent or cystine stones, stones larger than 3 cm or staghorn calculi, multiple stones with a total burden of more than 3 cm and those not amenable to follow-up were excluded from the study. The overall stone-free rate was 70.7% and 81% at 1 and 3 months, respectively. The stone-free rates at 1 and 3 months were further determined by the exact location of each stone within the urinary tract. Stone-free rates at 3 months ranged from 90.84% for renal pelvic stones to 71.08% for lower calyceal stones, while the stone-free rates for ureteral calculi ranged from 80.85% for upper third unstented ureteral stones to 92.92% for lower ureteral stones. The overall complication rate was 6.02% with a 1.2% post-ESWL intervention rate (ureteroscopy or placement of percutaneous nephrostomy or stent).     

Treatment of proximal ureteral calculi: holmium:YAG laser ureterolithotripsy versus extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: We compared the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopy with intracorporeal holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) for proximal ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients underwent 81 primary procedures, including in situ ESWL with a DoLi 50 lithotriptor (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc.) or ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for proximal ureteral calculi. RESULTS: Of the primary procedures 81 involved proximal ureteral calculi, including 35 done for calculi 1 cm. or greater. The initial stone-free rate in patients with calculi 1 cm. or greater was 93% for ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy and 50% for in situ ESWL. The efficiency quotient for treating proximal ureteral calculi 1 cm. or greater was calculated as 0.76 for ureteroscopic lithotripsy and 0.43 for ESWL. For proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. the initial stone-free rate was 100% and 80% for ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy and ESWL, respectively. The efficiency quotient was calculated as 0.81 for ureteroscopic lithotripsy and 0.72 for ESWL for treating proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. There were no major complications in either group and all procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that ureteroscopy combined with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is an acceptable treatment modality for all proximal ureteral calculi and excellent results are achieved for calculi 1 cm. or larger. Although the stone-free rate was better for smaller stones with ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, efficiency quotients were similar. Therefore, ESWL should remain first line therapy for proximal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm. because of less morbidity, and a lesser anesthesia and analgesic requirement.     

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 shock wave lithotripsy in renal calculi causing ureteral obstruction: report of 20 cases

From Dec. 1985 to July 1988, 2006 patients with renal calculi were treated with Zhongshan Hospital JT-ESWL-I and France EDAP machines. Post-treatment obstruction of ureteral street stones occurred in 20 patients (1% in this series) with large renal calculi: 10 cases occurred in the left ureter, whereas the others in the right. The length of street stones measured 3-22 cm. Among the 20 cases, 14 patients were cured by medicine, repeated ESWL, or/and endoscopical manipulation. Two patients with acute renal failure were completely free of ureteral stones after nephrostomy or placement of a ureteral catheter and irrigation. 2 patients are still under treatment. In addition, some factors of the formation, prevention and treatment of the ureteral street stones are discussed in this paper.     

Factors affecting the success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal calculi in children

The aim of the study was to analyse factors affecting the success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in children with renal calculi. We performed a retrospective analysis reviewing records of 85 (40 female, 45 male) children (89 renal units) subjected to ESWL for treatment of renal calculi during 1990–2005 in our department. As 4 patients had bilateral calculi and 19 children (21 renal units) had renal stones at more than one different site, each location was analysed separately for convenience. The mean age of the patients was 10.3±4.6 (2–16) years. The stone-free rates for renal pelvis, lower, middle and upper caliceal calculi were 70, 62, 50 and 73%, respectively. A higher rate (33%) of insignificant fragments (≤4 mm) was noted for lower pole calculi. Increased stone diameter (P=0.0001) and burden (P=0.04) were found as the most significant factors that adversely affect the stone-free rate for pelvis renalis calculi, whereas an acutely oriented infundibulum and/or a long lower infundibulum (P=0.005) were unfavourable factors for clearance of lower caliceal stones. The stone-free rate in children with multiple calculi was 48%, while 29% of the renal units had retained fragments. ESWL is a good initial option for treatment of most of the renal calculi <2 cm except in the presence of unfavourable lower caliceal anatomy. Increased stone burden, multiple stones, staghorn calculi, narrow lower infundibulopelvic angle and long lower infundibulum are factors that adversely affect the clearance rate.     

Prediction of success rate after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy of renal stones--a multivariate analysis model

OBJECTIVES: To define prognostic factors that affect the success rate after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of renal calculi and to estimate the probability of stone-free status using a regression analysis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February 1992 and February 2002, 2954 patients with single or multiple radiopaque renal stones (<30 mm) underwent ESWL monotherapy. The results of treatment were evaluated after 3 months of follow-up. Treatment success was defined as complete clearance of the stones with no residual fragments. The stone-free rate was correlated with stone features and patient characteristics using the chi2 test. Factors found to be significant using the chi2 test were further analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, the overall stone-free rate using ESWL monotherapy was 86.7%. Failure to disintegrate the stones was observed in 7.3% of cases (n = 216) and failure to clear the fragmented stones occurred in 6% (n = 177). Repeat ESWL was needed in 53% of cases. Static steinstrasse occurred in 4.9% of cases (n = 146) and post-ESWL auxiliary procedures were required in 4% (n = 118). Using the chi2 test, patient age (p < 0.001), stone size (p < 0.001), location (p < 0.001), number (p < 0.001) and nature (p = 0.003), radiological renal picture (p < 0.001) and congenital renal anomalies (p < 0.001) had a significant impact on the stone-free rate. Multivariate analysis excluded stone nature from the logistic regression model while other factors maintained their statistically significant effect on success rate, indicating that they were independent predictors. A regression analysis model was designed to estimate the probability of stone-free status after ESWL. The sensitivity of the model was 83%, the specificity 91% and the overall accuracy 87%. CONCLUSION: Patient age, stone size, location and number, radiological renal features and congenital renal anomalies are prognostic factors determining stone clearance after ESWL of renal calculi. Our regression model can predict the probability of the success of ESWL with an accuracy of 87%.     

输尿管镜联合钬激光治疗输尿管上段结石:附205例报告

目的 探讨输尿管镜联合钬激光治疗输尿管上段结石的效果和安全性.方法 回顾性分析205例输尿管上段结石患者行输尿管硬镜钬激光碎石治疗的临床资料,其中男91例,女114例,结石位于单侧188例,双侧17例,炎性息肉引起输尿管腔明显狭窄者12例.结石长径0.8～1.4 cm.结果 192例一次性碎石成功,单次碎石成功率为93.7%(192/205).9例有较大结石碎片(4～6 mm)残留于肾或输尿管内,4例在碎石过程中结石冲入肾内,其中1例较大结石(1.4 cm)移位至肾盂后改行PCNL,其余3例留置双J管改行ESWL,均治愈.19例合并炎性息肉同期行激光烧灼.手术时间15~90min,平均30 min.住院时间2~9 d,平均3.5 d.198例患者在门诊获得随访,随访时间3～24个月,平均6个月,结石均排尽.结论 输尿管镜联合钬激光治疗输尿管上段结石的一种比较理想的腔内碎石技术,其碎石成功率高,并发症发生率低,创伤小,患者术后恢复快,而且可同期处理结石合并炎性息肉和狭窄.     

体外冲击波碎石、逆行输尿管镜或微创经皮输尿管镜碎石治输尿管上段结石的疗效比较

目的 总结输尿管上段结石的有效治疗方法. 方法回顾性分析体外冲击波碎石(ESwL)、逆行输尿管镜(URL)或微创经皮输尿管镜碎石(MPCNL)治疗397例输尿管上段结石患者的临床效果,统计学比较3种治疗方法的成功率及结石清除率.结果 397例患者中,ESWL治疗83例,结石横径0.8～1.5 cm,平均1.23 cm;改行URL或开放手术治疗13例(15.7%);单纯ESWL治疗术后1个月结石清除率为65.7%(46/70).URL治疗213例,结石横径0.7～1.8 cm,平均1.21cm;改行开放手术18例(8.5%);单纯URL治疗术后1个月结石清除率为88.2%(172/195).MPCNL治疗101例,结石横径0.9～2.5 cm,平均1.50 cm;改行开放手术治疗3例(3.0%);单纯MPCNL治疗术后1个月结石清除率为96.9%(95/98).结石横径≤1 cm者.ESWL治疗结石清除率低于URL和MPCNL治疗组(P=0.041),URL组与MPCNL组结石清除率比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.680);结石横径＞1 cm者,ESWL治疗结石清除率低于URL组和MPCNL组(P＜0.001),URL组结石清除率低于MPCNL组(P=0.005).结论 横径≤1 cm的输尿管上段结石首选ESWL治疗,＞1 cm的结石应选用URL或MPCNL治疗,MPCNL治疗的结石清除率更高.     

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%).     

输尿管镜钬激光碎石术与体外冲击波碎石术治疗输尿管结石的临床比较

目的:比较输尿管镜钬激光碎石术(LL)与体外冲击波碎石术(ESWL)治疗输尿管结石的临床疗效和安全性。方法:总结2008年1月~2012年9月于我院泌尿外科住院治疗的465例输尿管结石患者的临床资料,采用LL治疗输尿管结石196例,其中结石直径1.0cm者104例,≤1.0cm者92例;采用ESWL治疗269例,其中结石直径1.0cm者128例,≤1.0cm者141例。比较两者治疗输尿管结石的手术时间、术后3个月结石排净率及手术并发症发生率的差异。结果:LL组治疗结石直径1.0cm和≤1.0cm的平均手术时间均明显少于ESWL组相应的平均手术时间,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);对直径1.0cm的输尿管结石,LL组术后3个月结石排净率为93.3%,明显高于ESWL组的69.5%,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);而对于直径≤1.0cm的输尿管结石,LL组和ESWL组术后3个月结石排净率分别为91.3%和89.4%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。ESWL治疗上段结石的有效率为87.2%,明显高于中下段结石74.3%,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);而LL组的有效率分别为92.0%和92.6%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。LL组并发症发生率为4.6%,ESWL组无明显并发症发生。结论:综合考虑,对直径≤1.0cm的输尿管结石,尤其是上段结石,推荐ESWL治疗;而对直径1cm的输尿管结石,尤其是中下段结石,建议首选输尿管镜钬激光碎石术。     

Laser lithotripsy of the difficult ureteral calculus: results in 122 patients.

We studied 122 patients with ureteral calculi who could not be treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) because the stones could not be localized or focused for treatment, the patient had failed prior ESWL, the stones were impacted and in situ ESWL was likely to fail or the stones were proximal to a ureteral stricture. These patients underwent laser lithotripsy using the Candela pulsed dye laser. In 107 patients (88%) the calculi were completely fragmented with the laser alone, while 10 (8%) needed another procedure (ESWL in 8 and stone fragment extraction by basket in 2), and 5 (4%) had failed laser therapy and needed some other form of treatment (ESWL in 4 and percutaneous antegrade extraction in 1). At 3 months 116 of 122 patients (95%) were stone-free. There were 2 immediate complications (ureteral perforations) and 1 late complication (ureteral stricture). Laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective method of intracorporeal fragmentation, even of the difficult ureteral calculus, and it is a useful adjunct to ESWL.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for distal ureteral calculi: what a powerful machine can achieve

PURPOSE: We assessed the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL, Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) for distal ureteral calculi with the HM3 (Dornier Medical Systems, Inc.) lithotriptor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 585 consecutive patients with distal ureteral calculi were treated with ESWL using an unmodified HM3 lithotriptor. Of these patients 67 referred for treatment only for whom no followup was available were excluded from further analysis. The remaining 518 cases were followed until they were radiologically documented to be stone-free or considered treatment failures. Before ESWL additional procedures were performed in 144 patients, including stone push back, ureteral catheter or Double-J (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) stent placement, percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteral endoscopic maneuvers or stone basket manipulation. A total of 374 patients needed no preliminary treatment before ESWL. RESULTS: Of the 518 patients 469 (91%) were successfully treated with 1 ESWL session, while 49 (9%) needed 2 or 3. Manipulation after ESWL was performed in 22 cases, including stent placement, percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteral endoscopic stone removal and a stone basket procedure. On day 1 after ESWL 327 patients (63%) were stone-free, 158 (30%) had less than 5 mm. fragments and 33 (7%) had more than 5 mm. fragments. At 3 months the stone-free rate increased to 97%. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that ESWL for distal ureteral calculi with the powerful unmodified HM3 lithotriptor has a high success rate with a low rate of minimally traumatic manipulations before and after intervention. Results in terms of the re-treatment and stone-free rates are superior to those of any other second or third generation lithotriptor and comparable to the results of the best ureteroscopic series.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment of lower caliceal stones: an update on the use of a cobra catheter for direct irrigation

As the general experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for renal calculi broadens, it is increasingly evident that the clearance of stone fragments in lower pole calices needs to be improved. The stone-free rate posttreatment for lower caliceal stones is consistently less than that for other upper tract locations. Utilization of a cystoscopically placed cobra catheter for directed irrigation during ESWL with a Dornier HM4 lithotripter resulted in an increase of our lower caliceal stone-free rate to 64% (29/45) at 1 month follow-up and 73% (33/45) at 3 months follow-up compared to 36% (15/42) of randomly selected controls at 1 month (p less than 0.007) and 54% (23/42) at 3 months (p < 0.070). Patients were included in the study if they had a solitary calculus, less than 2 cm in size, located in a normal lower pole calix and had no indwelling stent placed by the referring physician. The cobra catheter was positioned in the appropriate calix with fluoroscopic guidance under intravenous sedation. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's Chi-square test. We conclude that the pre-ESWL treatment placement of a cobra catheter into the lower pole calix and intermittent irrigation during the procedure is a useful adjunct in the successful treatment of lower caliceal calculi.     

Emergency extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for obstructing ureteral stones

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate emergency treatment of obstructing ureteral stones by in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) during acute renal colic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to February 2000, 200 patients (mean age: 42 years) were treated by ESWL (EDAP LT-02) for obstructing ureteral stones causing acute renal colic refractory to medical treatment or recurring within 24hours of such treatment. Stones were visualised by fluoroscopic imaging and/or ultrasound. Follow-up included radiological and/or ultrasound examinations and lasted three months. RESULTS: Mean stone size was 7mm (3-20mm). At three months, 164/200 (82%) patients were stone-free. This rate ranged from 79% to 83% according to the location of the stone, and from 75% to 86% according to the size of the stone. These differences in rate were not significant. Two or three ESWL sessions were required in 79 patients. ESWL was well tolerated in 90% of patients. The only complication was a case of pyelonephritis requiring the placement of a JJ stent, administration of antibiotics, and distant ureteroscopy. The 36 patients, in whom ESWL failed, underwent ureteroscopy (n=23) or lithotripsy with a Dornier machine (n=13). CONCLUSION: Non-deferred ESWL for acute renal colic secondary to obstructing ureteral stones has a satisfactory success rate and very low morbidity.     

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.     

Safety and Efficacy of the Alexandrite Laser for the Treatment of Renal and Ureteral Calculi

Objectives. To assess the safety and efficacy of the Alexandrite laser for intracorporeal lithotripsy of renal and ureteral stones in conjunction with ureterorenoscopy or percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 137 patients with 169 calculi in 143 renoureteral units who were treated with the Alexandrite laser via a retrograde (91.5%) or antegrade (8.5%) endoscopic approach.Results. Adequate intraoperative fragmentation of the stone was observed in 88.8% of the cases. No intraoperative complications were attributable to the laser. At a mean follow-up of 34 days, the overall stone-free rate was 74.4%. The stone-free rate for ureteral stones (n = 115) was 80%, whereas the stone-free rate for renal stones (n = 22) was only 44%. In the best subgroup of ureteral stones (10 mm or less in the distal ureter), the stone-free rate was 97.4%.Conclusions. The Alexandrite laser is a safe modality for intracorporeal lithotripsy and is highly effective for ureteral stones less than 10 mm in size.