[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of renal lithiasis. 5 years' experience]

The historical background to extracorporeal lithotripsy using shock waves is described and indications for use of this treatment discussed in relation to other types of therapy for reno-ureteral lithiasis: percutaneous or trans-ureteral endoscopy. The reduction in invasive surgical procedures is emphasized. The first human use of extracorporeal lithotripsy by shock waves dates back to 1980. Since then, more than 30,000 calculi have been treated in this way, either exclusively or in combination with other therapy. For simple small calculi (less than 1 cm in diameter and situated in the pelvis or a calyx) the incidence of complications is minimal: renal colic (15%), fever (13%), need for complementary therapy (7%). With extension of use of extracorporeal lithotripsy to complex calculi (multiple calculi, staghorn calculi) these figures increased to 30, 5 and 12% respectively. Patients with obstructive and infected lithiasis were treated by percutaneous drainage nephrostomy with intensive antibiotic therapy prior to extracorporeal treatment. Extending indications also provided data on contraindications: coagulation disorders, major vascular problems, abnormal size or weight of patient, pregnancy and finally difficulty in localizing calculi. Of interest is the almost total lack of efficacy of shock waves for treating staghorn calculi. Treatment in these cases should be by an initial percutaneous approach to reduce size of calculus followed by extracorporeal lithotripsy under nephrostomy cover. Surgery for lithiasis should therefore be reserved for complex lithiasis cases with large caliceal calculi proximal to a long narrow infundibulum and to calculi proximal to a stenosis of pyelo-ureteral junction. Whenever possible, lumbar ureter calculi should be raised towards the pelvis by endoscopic manipulation before extracorporeal lithotripsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)