[Treatment of upper urinary calculi using a non-immersed extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor]

The authors modified the China-made extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor (Dornier HM3) (ESWL), and successfully developed the first home-made non-immersed extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor not necessitating anesthesia. From 8 September 1987 to 8 February 1988, the authors treated 250 patients with stones of the upper urinary tract with their ESWL device. Stones were completely fragmented in 194, partially in 44, and not disintegrated in 12 cases. The overall fragmentation rate of calculi was 95.2%. Followup from 1 to 6 months showed that 128 patients were cured, and 11 patients were markedly improved. This ESWL equipment works well, and can be used clinically in selected cases.