Percutaneous renal calculus removal in an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy practice

The introduction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and transurethral ureteroscopy have altered markedly the incidence of standard surgical and percutaneous stone removal procedures. To help define the present role of percutaneous procedures in our practice we evaluated our indications, results and the clinical course of 143 patients who were treated primarily with percutaneous methods during 1 year in which extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy also was available. The complexity of these residual percutaneous cases necessitated repeat endoscopic or fluoroscopic stone removal procedures in 20 per cent and ancillary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in 22 per cent, and led to a slightly higher complication rate than in our previous percutaneous series. Despite the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous methods still are necessary for comprehensive therapy of upper tract urolithiasis.