IS NEWER ALWAYS BETTER? A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 3 LITHOTRIPTOR GENERATIONS

PURPOSE: At a single center we compared the efficacy of 3 generations of lithotriptors using identical protocol inclusion and followup criteria but with different modes of anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared stone disintegration and dilatation of the pyelocaliceal system achieved in a prospective, randomized trial comparing the original HM3 (Dornier Medtech, Kennesaw, Georgia) and Lithostar Plus (LSP) lithotriptors, and a matched, consecutive series of 107 treatments with the Modulith SLX. Stone disintegration and dilatation of the pyelocaliceal system were evaluated by abdominal plain x-ray and renal ultrasonography 1 day and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 82 treatments with the HM3, 75 with the LSP and 107 with the SLX were analyzed, matched for stone burden and location within the pyelocaliceal system. On postoperative day 1, 91%, 65% and 48% patients treated with the HM3, LSP and SLX, respectively, were stone-free or had fragments that were 2 mm or less (HM3 vs LSP p <0.001, HM3 vs SLX p <0.001 and LSP vs SLX p = 0.015). Three to 5 mm fragments were found in 7%, 21% and 35% of patients (p = 0.006, <0.001 and 0.06), and fragments 6 mm or greater were found in 1%, 14% and 15% (p = 0.002, <0.001 and 0.1, respectively). The re-treatment rate was 4% in the HM3 group, 13% in the LSP group and 38% in the SLX group (HM3 vs LSP p = 0.05, HM3 vs SLX p <0.001 and LSP vs SLX p <0.001). Obstructive pyelonephritis occurred in 1% of the HM3 group, 8% of the LSP group and 5% of the SLX group (HM3 vs LSP p = 0.02, HM3 vs SLX p = 0.12 and LSP vs SLX p = 0.4). All re-treatments except those in 5 patients were performed with the HM3. Therefore, the 3-month stone-free rate was comparable in all 3 groups (HM3 87%, LSP 80% and SLX 81%). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the HM3 lithotriptor disintegrates caliceal and renal pelvic stones better than the LSP and SLX machines, resulting in fewer complications and re-treatments. Disintegration with the LSP machine was also superior to that of the SLX with a need for fewer re-treatments.     

Urodynamic findings before and after noninvasive management of bladder calculi

OBJECTIVES: To determine the most frequent urodynamic observations associated with bladder calculi, and to assess whether the presence of calculi alters these observations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with bladder stones were included in a prospective study in which two urodynamic tests were used, one at inclusion and another once the patient was stone- free after treatment by noninvasive methods (mainly extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy). RESULTS: The results from the urodynamic evaluation with the stone in the bladder were: bladder outlet obstruction in 51%, detrusor overactivity in 68%, detrusor under-activity in 10%, and a normal study in 18%. There were no significant differences between the urodynamic study before or after treatment in maximum flow rate and postvoid residual volume, detrusor overactivity and detrusor pressure at maximum flow. CONCLUSIONS: Conversely to what has been accepted for years, bladder calculi are not always associated with bladder outlet obstruction and the urodynamic results are not influenced by the presence of bladder stones during the urodynamic testing.     

The 'modified prone position': a new approach for treating pre-vesical stones with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of a new 'modified-prone' position for treating pre-vesical stones with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), usually considered an acceptable and effective treatment for such stones, but for which many different body positions have been used in an attempt to increase its efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 268 consecutive patients with a solitary pre-vesical stone who underwent ESWL either prone (69) or in the modified-prone position (199) between May 1999 and August 2001. Only those with one stone between the ureteric orifice and 1 cm proximal to the vesico-ureteric junction were included. In each case the stone diameter, days to stone clearance, number of shock waves applied per treatment, and number of sessions required to become stone-free were recorded. If the treatment failed this was also noted. Success rates in the prone and modified-prone groups were compared and analysed to assess which of the variables influenced success with ESWL. RESULTS: After ESWL, 95.5% of the 268 patients were stone-free; the rates in the prone and modified-prone groups were 89.9% and 97.5%, respectively (P = 0.015). The probability of success with ESWL therapy for pre-vesical calculi in modified-prone position was about five times (odds ratio 4.56, 95% confidence interval 1.2-17.7) greater than that expected with when prone. The modified-prone position was an independent factor most significantly influencing success with ESWL in these patients. CONCLUSION: The modified-prone position for ESWL is a new and very effective way to treat patients with pre-vesical stones.     

Evaluation of adrenomedullin levels in renal parenchyma subjected to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

Despite its safety and efficacy, the traumatic effects of high-energy shock waves (HESW) on renal morphology and function during long-term follow-up have yet to be elucidated. Although the main target of shock waves is the stone located in the kidney, the surrounding tissue and other organs are also subjected to trauma during this procedure. In contrast to renal blood flow evaluation after shock wave treatment, ischemic development, causing varying degrees of damage at the tissue level, has not been well evaluated. . The renoprotective peptide adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasorelaxing, natriuretic and cell growth modulating peptide, which is thought to act as an autocrine/paracrine regulator in renal glomeruli and tubules. In this experimental study, renal parenchymal AM levels were assessed in an attempt to evaluate the effect of HESW on the tissue levels of this peptide, which may be responsible for the regulation of ischemia induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL), in a rabbit model. Thirty white New Zealand rabbits, each weighing 3–5 kg were used. The animals were divided into three main groups, and varying numbers of shock waves (1,000, 1,500, 2,000) were applied under fluoroscopic localization to the same kidney of all animals. Ketamine HCl anesthesia was administered (15–20 mg/kg) and all of the procedures were performed with a Multimed 2000 lithotriptor. Untreated contralateral kidneys were evaluated as controls. Following HESW application, the treated and untreated kidneys of each animal were removed through bilateral flank incisions under ketamine HCl anesthesia after 24 h and 7 days, respectively. Tissue AM levels were assessed with immunohistochemistry. During the early follow-up period (24 h), both treated and untreated kidneys showed a moderate to high degree of AM positivity. The number of tubules stained with AM increased as the number of shock waves increased and the expression of this protein became evident, possibly due to a higher degree of tissue damage. Additionally, a limited degree of AM positivity was noted in the contralateral kidneys although this was not as evident as the positivity seen in the treated kidneys. Assessment of tissue AM levels during late follow-up (7 days) in both kidneys demonstrated a moderate or limited degree of positivity in the treated kidneys. Limited or no positivity could be demonstrated in the contralateral kidneys at this time.Taking the certain traumatic effects of HESW, which causes transient ischemia during ESWL, into account, we conclude that the application of HESW results in a transient decrease in renal perfusion, causing ischemic injury in treated as well as in contralateral (untreated) kidneys. This ischemic event lasts for a short time and seemed to be dose- and time-dependent. Increased tissue levels of AM appear to be a potential defence against ESWL induced ischemia.     

泌尿系结石行ESWL时易碎性与CT值的关系

目的:探讨CT是否可以被用来预测泌尿系结石行体外冲击波碎石(ESWL)时的易碎性。方法:随机选择2004年3月～2006年12月间40枚开放手术获得的结石,测定CT值,将结石放入ESWL模型中行ESWL。结果:40枚结石平均CT值与每毫升结石碎石冲击波次数进行直线相关分析,Person相关系数0.786,P=0.004,认为结石平均CT值与每毫升碎石次数之间有直线相关关系,而且相关性很高。结论:结石平均CT值与ESWL碎石次数之间存在正相关关系,根据术前患者结石的平均CT值可以估计ESWL的难易程度。     

体外震波碎石治疗后推拿手法干预排石的疗效观察

目的:探讨推拿手法对体外震波碎石(ESWL)治疗后碎石屑排出的影响.方法:近两年行ESWL治疗的92个上尿路结石病例随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组碎石后在腰部及相关穴位进行推拿按摩30分钟,每日两次持续1～2周,对照组只做适度的运动,治疗后定期复查X线片比较疗效.结果:推拿手法干预治疗组排石的总有效率、肾绞痛发生率和排石的时效性均明显好于对照组,两组比较有显著性差异(P＜0.05).结论:推拿手法可促进输尿管蠕动,有助碎石屑松动排出,提高ESWL的治愈率,临床上可推广应用.     

体外冲击波碎石治疗泌尿系结石8702例临床总结

目的探讨体外震波碎石（ESWL）治疗泌尿系结石的临床效果。方法回顾性分析ESWL治疗的8702例泌尿系病人的临床资料。结果7572例泌尿系结石2月内排尽；673例6月内排尽；376例未排尽；81例无效，无效者在最后一次治疗后1月行开放性手术。结论ESWL是治疗泌尿系结石的首选方法，安全有效，易被患者接受，但要注意病例的选择。     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and endoscopy: combined therapy for problematic bile duct stones

Summary Endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones is currently successful in 86% of patients. We prospectively studied the efficacy and complication rate of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of problematic bile duct stones combined with endoscopy. When stone removal was not possible, patients were subjected to ESWL, Fragmented stones were removed endoscopically. During 1 year, 220 patients presenting with choledocholithiasis were diagnosed and 188 were successfully treated endoscopically. In all, 3 subjects received alternative treatmenl and the remaining 29 (13%) constituted our study group: 19 (65%) were women and the mean age was 76.7 years. Overall, 22 (76%) were high-risk patients; 23 (79%) were jaundiced and 9 (31%) had cholangitis at admission. The most frequent indication for ESWL was stone size. Stone fragmentation was achieved in 80% of cases. Complications were mild and were managed conservatively. No patient died. Complete stone clearance was possible in 23 (80%) cases. The association of ESWL and endoscopy enhanced the success rate of endoscopic stone clearance from 86% to 96%. During the same period, open surgery was performed in 4 cases for residual common bile duct (CBD) stones and in 32 cases in association with simultaneous cholecystectomy.     

EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY FOR URINARY CALCULI： 18 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Objective To report our experience of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy （ESWL） for patients with urinary calculi. Methods From Jun. 1987 to Dec. 2005, a total of 10100 patients with urinary calculi in the kidney or ureter accepted ESWL. The kidney stones were sorted by FDA standard. The ureteric stone was sorted by its site and retrograde pyelography. At the same time, we summarized the recurrence of kidney stone and its relationship between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy （ ESWL ） and hypertension. Results The efficacy for class I kidney stone was 91.2% that for class II 86. 5% and class III 72.3% , the healing rate for ureteric stone was 84. 5%. Combined retrograde pyelography and ESWL couM improve the efficacy. If ESWL failed, the ureteric stone could still be removed by operation or ureterscopy （ 1.1% ）. The rate of recurrence of kidney stone was 6. 1% and the incidence of hypertension post-treatment reached 7. 9%. Conclusion ESWL is a preferred approach to treat urinary calculi.     

预先留置双“J”管再行ESWL处理孤立肾肾结石35例分析

目的探讨预先留置双“J”管再行ESWL术处理孤立肾肾结石的治疗效果。方法回顾性分析我院2000年12月～2008年11月行预先留置双“J”管再行ESWL术处理孤立肾肾结石共35例,所有患者均为孤立肾肾结石,先在膀胱镜下留置该侧输尿管之双“J”管,再行ESWL术。结果21例1次ESWL成功,8例行2次ESWL成功,6例行3次ESWL成功,无并发症发生。结论预先留置双“J”管再行ESWL术处理孤立肾肾结石具有安全、高效、结石清除率高、并发症少的特点,可作为孤立肾肾结石的常规治疗方法。