[Clinical application of a third generation lithotripter (Modulith SL20) for urinary tract calculi]

A third generation lithotripter (Modulith SL20) was used for disintegration of upper urinary tract calculi. From April 1991 through March 1993, a total of 281 sessions were carried out on 212 patients with upper urinary tract calculi at Seichoukai Fuchu Hospital. One month after the last session, of the 141 patients evaluated, 55 (39.0%) were free from stone fragments and 52 (36.9%) had stone fragments equal to or smaller than 4 mm. The over-all successful rate was 75.9% and the success rate was excellent for lower ureteral stones. As side effects, there were no serious complications other than perinephritic hematoma which occurred in 2 patients. These findings clearly indicated that the Modulith SL20 lithotripter was highly useful for disintegration of calculi of the upper urinary tract.