Experiences with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with a solitary kidney

Between March 1985 and January 1990, 43 patients with stones in solitary kidneys were treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in our department. The most common cause of unilateral kidney absence was previously surgical removal of the kidney. The primary treatment modality was ESWL in all patients; the need for auxiliary procedures was higher than in general stone patients. Of the 43 patients 42 were available for control checkups after therapy, and these examinations revealed a stone-free rate of 85.7%. Of the patients 14.3% had asymptomatic lower calix fragments. All our patients showed a successful result 6 months after ESWL therapy. No loss of kidney was observed. Our results indicate that ESWL as an effective and safe method is also the therapy of choice for stone patients with solitary kidneys.