[Electroconductive lithotripsy: clinical results of the Sonolith sigma]

The electroconductive lithotripter (ECL) is a new concept for shockwave generation in which a highly conductive solution channels the discharge between the anode and cathode. Out of 152 patients treated, complete follow up data were available on 151 patients. The average number of shocks per treatment was 2,138. At 3 months the overall stone-free rate was 73.5%. Success rate, defined as stone-free or asymptomatic residual fragments measuring 4 mm or less, was 84.9% for renal and 94.9% for ureteral calculi. The overall success rate for all calculi was 89%.