[Clinical study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy]

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was performed on 81 patients with urolithiasis (35 patients with ureteral stones, 25 patients with renal stones less than 2 cm in diameter, and 21 patients with renal stones more than 2 cm in diameter) at Kanbara Hospital from August to October, 1986. A 4 Fr catheter was placed transurethrally in the ureter up to the stone to identify the stone position and the degree of fragmented stones. In four patients with staghorn calculi, a double-J catheter was placed in the ureter to prevent stone street formation. More than 50% of the patients with renal stones less than 2 cm in maximum diameter and ureteral stones had satisfactorily excreted fragments or sand of crushed stones not later than 2 weeks after the operation. However, in patients with renal stones more than 2 cm in maximum diameter, it took much more time to discharge the crushed stones compared with the foregoing two groups and some patients needed further management to remove the remnants. Combined treatment, ureteral catheterization or endoscopic operation with ESWL is recommended for treatment of renal stones larger than 2 cm in diameter.