[Adjustable electrohydraulic lithotripsy for minimally invasive ureteroscopic stone treatment]

We report on 82 ureteroscopies and electrohydraulic lithotripsies performed with small semirigid ureteroscopes with a minimum outer diameter of 6.5 F and probes of 2.4 F and 3.3 F. Prototypes of new lithotripters were employed, which incorporate infinitely variable energy within a range of 265-1382 mJ per pulse. Increased energy was provided by a rise in voltage, thus modifying the peak pressure and the initial slope of the shock wave. One third of the stones were situated in the upper ureter, 15% in the middle and 46% in the lower ureter. In 54% of these cases previous ESWL (Dornier MFL 5000) had been performed without success. Over 85% of the manipulations were performed under local anesthesia and i.v. sedation. Stone contact was achieved in 99%. Lithotripsy was fully successful in over 90%. The average energy per pulse was 450 mJ. In 7% partial disintegration was achieved and the residual stone was flushed back into the renal pelvis followed by further effective ESWL treatment. One stone had to be removed by open surgery. There were no major complications, such as perforations, due to the electrohydraulic lithotripsy itself. One perforation was caused when the endoscope was advanced into the ureter. No strictures were seen at the 6-month follow-up examination. An indwelling stent was placed in 48% of cases, as the stone burden or an inflamed stone bed suggested this was necessary. We conclude that electrohydraulic lithotripsy with adjustable energy resulting in various peak pressures of the shock wave is a safe and effective method of endoureteral stone treatment.