Shock-wave treatment for stones in the kidney and ureter. The Jerusalem experience

We report on our first 6 months' experience with the extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripter (ESWL). During this period, 410 treatments were given to 350 kidneys and ureters. Our series was characterized by a particularly high proportion (40%) of multiple and large calculi and included 25 complete staghorns. The latter required multiple treatments (up to five), but no adjunct percutaneous nephrolithotomies were used in this series. A percutaneous nephrostomy was inserted in 20 cases. Thirty-six ureteric calculi above the pelvic level were treated in situ, with 95% success. The presence of a ureteric catheter is useful in these cases. Posttreatment pain was graded, and 61% of the patients did not require any analgesia. High-frequency jet ventilation was used in 91% of the 172 patients receiving general anesthesia and was of great value in minimizing respiratory-stone movement. The principal complication encountered was ureteric obstruction due to impacted particles. Temperature greater than 38 C occurred in 8.5% of the cases. It is suggested that the availability of the ESWL should encourage the early treatment of both renal and ureteric calculi, as well as enable the treatment of certain patients rejected for conventional surgery.