[Cystinic lithiasis. Current aspects of the urologic treatment]

On the basis of a series of 9 patients (12 renal units) gathered over 19 years, the authors analyze the current possibilities of treatment of cystine lithiasis. They first describe the characteristics of this litiasis, which is rare but serious, being naturally prone to recurrence because it is caused by a genetic defect. The development of extracorporeal lithotripsy raised great hopes for the treatment of this lithiasis, but it was soon realized that cystine strones were hard to break. However, even the mere fragmentation of the stones improves the dissolving action of the various drugs proposed to modify the pH of urine. The authors consider that open surgery by means of posterior vertical lumbar section still is indicated for larger stones, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy seems to be a very useful technique, either exclusively or as a complement of extracorporeal lithotrity.