Clinical experience of ureteral stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Yang, Seung Chul; Suh, Dong Whan

Abstract

We treated 160 patients with ureteral stones using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (Siemens Lithostar, Germany) and evaluated many factors which influence the results of ESWL such as stone size, location, degree of ureteral obstruction. duration of impaction and adjuvant procedure. Our results showed that. in case of large stones (more than 1 cm in diameter), mid-ureteral stones, long-standing impacted stones or in-situ treatment, the success rates of ESWL were relatively poor. Therefore in cases accompanying the above-mentioned factors, in is necestary to recognize that the patients may be required to repeat ESWL. The results also suggest that the use of an ureteral catheter or stent may contribute to a slightly higher success rate. But we prefer in-situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to an ureteral stent because it is an invasive procedure.