A comparative study of cystolithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy for bladder stones

This study compares the safety and efficacy of mechanical cystolithotripsy (MCLT) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of vesical stones. In the last four years we have treated 144 bladder lithiasis patients with MCLT (86; group A) and ESWL (58; group B). All patients in group A were treated under spinal anaesthesia while 47 patients in group B needed intravenous sedation. The early complication rates in groups A and B were 19.7 and 6.8%, respectively. The corresponding mean hospital stay was 60 and 18 hours. ESWL should be considered as an effective, safe and least invasive alternative to MCLT in the therapeutic options for vesical lithiasis.