Ultrasonic lithotripsy of a large staghorn calculus

We describe the removal of an infected 9 cm. staghorn calculus by ultrasonic lithotripsy in a man with a solitary kidney and a pyelocolonic conduit, who had undergone 2 prior operations on the involved kidney. Lithotripsy was performed through the conduit with the patient under epidural anesthesia in 3 staged procedures. Subsequently, the patient underwent successful urinary undiversion. Recent advances in the technical equipment available for the management of stone disease have reduced substantially patient morbidity associated with renal stone surgery in the previously operated kidney.