New techniques for the treatment and disruption of renal calculi

Kidney stones are a major cause of morbidity and affect 3 to 4% of Western Europeans. Two new techniques have been developed in the last five years which reduce the morbidity, hospital stay and convalescent period of patients compared with those undergoing conventional renal surgery. These methods, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal stone disintegration, are examined with particular reference to the equipment necessary for stone disintegration. There is little doubt that these techniques will supersede conventional surgical procedures in the near future.