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Shockwave Lithotripsy for Urolithiasis: Is It Still Alive?
Seyed Sajjad Tabei1, Alan Yaghoubian2, Kymora B Scotland2
1Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Abstract:
Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) has been a reliable, noninvasive treatment modality for kidney and ureteral stones. It emerged before the widespread adoption of ureterorenoscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and since its commercial introduction in the 1980s, SWL has significantly reduced the need for open stone surgery. However, recent trends show a decline in its use among US-based urologists, and SWL is no longer the most commonly employed intervention for urolithiasis. In this article, we review the success of SWL and share our perspective on its current status and future viability.
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