Renal calculus dissolution in immobilized patients

13 patients presenting with immobilization stones are reported. Young males with an infection of the urinary tract are most commonly affected. In the case of phosphate stones, the infection of the urinary tract with an alkaline shift of the pH and an idiopathic hyperuricosuria play a decisive part together with temporary hyperphosphaturia and hypercalciuria. The importance of urea splitting bacteria in the urine for stone formation is stressed. Applied in time increase of fluid intake, specific antibiotics and allopurinol can lead to litholysis. If the urine of immobilized patients were monitored closely from the beginning of the hospitalisation for the above factors, and treated appropriately, urine calculi should be largely prevented.