In situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for upper ureteral stones: experience with 65 patients

A total of 65 patients with 67 upper ureteral stones underwent in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) between March 1990 and September 1990. For stone disintegration the electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripter Tripter XI (Direx) was used. Eighty-seven per cent of stones showed satisfactory disintegration after the first treatment and a further 9 per cent after repeat treatments. The stone-free rate at 12 weeks was 85 per cent. General anaesthesia was needed in only 12 per cent of patients. The retreatment rate was 13 per cent. It was concluded that in situ ESWL is an effective procedure with negligible morbidity for treating upper ureteral stones.