[Electrohydraulic shockwave lithotripsy with ventral shockwave exposure--technic, indications and initial clinical...

Shockwave lithotripsy of ureteral or calyceal calculi covered by the bony pelvis and of anteriorly located stones, such as calculi in horseshoe kidneys or the common bile duct, requires ventral introduction of the shockwave into the body. Eleven patients underwent ESWL in the prone position for the aforementioned indications. All treatments were performed with the Dornier HM3 lithotripter, which allows prone positioning of the patient without technical modification of the stretcher. ESWL was successful in all patients, one requiring a second session for complete stone disintegration. Thus, the possibility of shockwave lithotripsy with the patient in the prone position allows further extension of the indications for noninvasive treatment of calculi.