[Treatment of ureteral calculi in bone coverage using in situ ESWL in prone position]

From January 1988 to February 1992, a total of 26 patients with calculi in the middle third of the ureter underwent primary in situ ESWL in the prone position. All treatments were performed in sedoanalgesia using the Dornier HM 3 lithotriptor. During and after ESWL in the prone position, severe complications did not occur. Of the 26 patients, 10 (38%) were treated by a single application of ESWL. No auxiliary measures were necessary, and they became stone-free within 3 months following treatment. In another 9 patients (35%) auxiliary measures were required for visualization of radiolucent calculi or to relieve a urinary tract obstruction with incipient septicemia. All these auxiliary measures could be performed in sedoanalgesia. In the remaining 7 patients (27%), in whom stone disintegration following ESWL was incomplete, ureteroscopic lithotripsy techniques had to be applied. One of these 7 patients had to undergo an additional open operative procedure. The results of the present study demonstrate that a majority of patients with calculi in the middle portion of the ureter can become stone-free without invasive lithotripsy techniques following ESWL in the prone position, if necessary plus auxiliary measures, in sedoanalgesia. From these results it can be concluded that primary ESWL in the prone position should be considered for patients with calculi in the middle third of the ureter before invasive lithotripsy techniques are applied.