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Shockwave lithotripsy in unrecognized pregnancy: interruption or continuation?
C H Deliveliotis1, B Argyropoulos, M Chrisofos
1Department of Urology, Sismanoglion Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
Journal of Endourology
|November 29, 2001
Summary
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) was performed on a pregnant woman for ureteral stones. The procedure resulted in a healthy infant, but SWL is not recommended during pregnancy without further research.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Obstetrics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a common treatment for kidney and ureteral stones.
- The safety of SWL during pregnancy is not well-established, leading to a general contraindication.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old pregnant woman underwent SWL for a 4 x 6-mm distal ureteral calculus at 10 weeks gestation.
- The procedure involved 2100 shocks at a maximum intensity of 18 kV.
Findings:
- The patient continued her pregnancy to term and delivered a healthy infant.
- No immediate adverse effects on the fetus were reported in this case.
Implications:
- This case suggests that SWL may not inherently harm a pregnancy, but it is not a recommendation for the procedure.
- Further research is crucial to determine the safety profile and potential risks of SWL in pregnant patients.
- Establishing guidelines for SWL in pregnancy requires more extensive studies to assess fetal and maternal outcomes.