[Piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy in ambulatory care]

The surgical approach for stone disease has completely changed during the last decade. Since 1980, ESWL and Endourology (percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureteroscopy) have been used worldwide in the treatment of nephrolithiasis and today open surgery is necessary only in less than 5% of the cases. The second generation Wolf Piezolith 2300 is a lithotripter for the painless treatment of the majority of renal and ureteral stones. Treatment of stone patients on an out patient basis in a private clinic commenced in 1988 because of the low complications and side effects related to its use. We report the records of the first 70 patients treated in this way and controlled for at least 3 months after the treatment.