Do the residual fragments after shock wave lithotripsy affect the quality of life?

To evaluate the possible effects of residual fragments on the health-related quality of life in patients undergoing extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for renal stones.

Seventy-one patients with residual fragments were divided into 2 further groups; group 1 (n = 42; fragment size, ≤ 4 mm) and group 2 (n = 29; fragment size, >4 mm). During 3-month follow-up, spontaneous passage rates; number of emergency department visits, amount of the analgesic required, additional procedures, and the changes in the quality of life were evaluated. Quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form 36 survey. Statistical analyses included independent sample t tests.

Of the 42 cases with fragments ≤ 4 mm, although 92.8% patients passed the fragments spontaneously, fragments resided until 3 months in 4.8% patients. Again, after 2 sessions of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, of the 29 cases with fragments >4 mm, 55% were stone free, whereas 14% still had residual fragments. Mean number of emergency department visit was found to be 0.07 and 0.5 in both groups, respectively. Mean analgesic need was 138.75 mg in group 1 and 375 mg in group 2. Although significantly lower scores were noted only for one parameter during 1-month evaluation in cases with larger fragments, they were present in all 8 parameters during 3-month evaluation.

Larger residual fragments could significantly affect the quality of life. Emergency department visits and colic attacks are the causes of discomfort. Effective stone disintegration by an experienced urologist should be aimed to limit the negative effects of residual fragments on the quality of life.