[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for uric acid stones in upper urinary tract]

Since 1987, 121 patients with uric acid stones in upper urinary tract have been treated by an EDAP LT-01 ultrasound-guided piezoelectric lithotriptor. One hundred and twenty-one patients had 167 renal stones 0.5-3.5 cm in diameter (mean 0.86 cm), 9 had ureteral stones 0.6-1.3 cm (mean 0.84 cm). Auxiliary treatment were given to 2 patients with upper ureteral stones, the others were treated by ESWL in situ. A success rate of 80.99% (98 patients) was achieved in one session, 12.40% (15) in two sessions, 4.96% (6) in three sessions, and 1.65% (2) in four sessions. No serious complications were encounterd. Therefore, ESWL with the ultrasound-guided piezoelectric lithotriptor is considered to be a satisfactory procedure for the treatment of uric acid stones. The ultrasound localization of uric acid stones, the shocking methods during ESWL and the application of alkaline medicine after ESWL were discussed.