[Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: our experience in 5,000 cases]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a key treatment for kidney stones.
• Technological advancements in lithotripters aim to improve efficacy and patient outcomes.
• Extensive clinical experience is crucial for understanding ESWL's real-world performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the clinical experience with 7,500 patients undergoing ESWL.
• To compare outcomes between standard and modified Dornier HM-3 lithotripters.
• To analyze factors influencing ESWL success rates and complications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 7,500 ESWL treatments performed between [Start Date] and [End Date].
• Comparison of standard Dornier HM-3 (6,800 patients) versus modified HM-3 with new ellipsoid and double-shot generator (700 patients).
• Data collected on patient demographics, stone characteristics, treatment parameters, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Mean treatment duration: 37 minutes; average shock waves: 1,703; mean radiation exposure: 1.9 minutes.
• Two electrodes per session were needed in 48% of cases.
• Stone-free rate at 3 months: 72%; residual fragments: 19%; minimal particles: 9%.

Conclusions:

• ESWL, particularly with the modified HM-3, demonstrates significant efficacy in stone clearance.
• Treatment parameters and patient-specific factors influence outcomes.
• Further evaluation of modified ESWL technology in diverse patient populations is warranted.