[The contractile function of the upper urinary tract during extracorporeal lithotripsy]

Functional urodynamic investigations of the upper urinary tracts (UUT) were performed in 14 patients before UUT catheterization preceding extracorporeal lithotripsy (ECL) on Lithostar unit (Siemens). UUT-inserted electrode PEDM-9 and six-channel urological rheograph REUR-6 registered multichannel impedance ureterogram (MIUG) and electroureterogram within the ureter. All the patients with uroliths exhibited impaired ureteral motility. They concerned mainly the form of the motility complexes, the direction of the waves and UUT tonicity. Functional analysis of bioelectrical curves in the UUT of patients with ureteroliths and nephroliths made it possible to distinguish two basic variants of the motility disorders: active, but deformed, contractility of UUT wall and its noticeable tone; weak contractility of ureteral wall, poor tone of, most likely, dilated UUT which could not resist passing movements from the viscera. ECL action on UUT motility was recorded from the moment of the unit switching on in the form of shifts in the frequency, and amplitude of the motility complexes, UUT tonicity, additional waves of MIUG readings. The changes registered depended on individual features of UUT reactivity and baseline abnormalities in the motility.