[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: the evolution of a revolution]

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy has now been in clinical use for 8 years, and it has replaced other treatment techniques for the majority of surgical calculi in the upper urinary tract. For the first time it provides a completely noninvasive method for the treatment of renal and ureteral calculi. The current range of indications means that approximately 70% of nonselected urinary stone patients can be treated by this method, while 25% of the patients with more complex stones in the upper urinary tract can receive treatment with the lithotripter combined with endourological procedures. The clinical role of this method is determined by a high success rate and minimal complications. This has led to a rapid worldwide acceptance in the urological community, and up to now more than 1.5 million patients with urinary stone disease have been treated.