Update on contact lithotripsy

Despite the development of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, endoscopic stone removal, with or without intracorporeal lithotripsy, is still an effective minimally invasive alternative for special indications. There is no defined all-purpose lithotripsy procedure for contact lithotripsy. The choice of the lithotripsy procedure for endoscopic stone disintegration depends on a number of different factors, the main one being stone localization. Small calibre, flexible probes (electrohydraulic, pneumatic, laser) are especially appropriate for ureterorenoscopy, but the speed of stone disintegration is a limiting factor. In contrast, large calibre rigid probes (ultrasound) are clearly more effective, but are unsuitable in size for flexible ureterorenoscopy. This indicates that the type and size of the endoscope decisively influences the choice of devices for endoscopic stone disintegration. Additional inhibiting factors are the flexibility or the rigidity of the instrument and the diameter of the working channel. It must be noted that total costs are not only calculated on the purchase of the equipment, but must also cover disposable materials.