Factors Concerning Fragmentation of Urinary Stones in Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Park, Chang Hyun; Kim, Ki Kyung

Abstract

PURPOSE: Majority of the urinary stones are primarily treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(SWL). The factors effecting on fragmentation of stones are characteristics of stones, mechanism of fragmentation, and technique of operator. There were many reports concerning stone size, location, composition, and lithotriptor itself, but no report concerning technical aspect in fragmentation of stones. We know the therapeutic results of SWL using same machine and under similar in conditions of stones were different. So, we investigated fragmentation rate of the stones according to gross hematuria and pain as one of parameters on behalf of technical aspects in addition to other characteristics of the stones.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analysed the results of urinary stone fragmentations in 61 patients for whom SWL had been undergone from March, 1998 to August, 1998. Success rates and their correlations according to the size, location, shape, and radiopacity of the stones, degree of the flank pain and severity of gross hematuria during and after operation.
RESULTS
The rates of stone fragmentations according to size, location, shape, and radiopacity of the stones did not show significant differences, wherease severity of gross hematuria and flank pain during and after SWL showed significant correlations to success rates(p<0.01). CONCLUTIONS: In practicing SWL, we think it is helpful to rasing success rate to consider of the severity of gross hematuria and flank pain following SWL.