[Medical and surgical aspects of renal lithiasis]

Over the last ten years a true revolution has developed in the resolution of renal and excretory tract calculi. Modern technology has made available to urologists a wide variety of procedures to be used for the fragmentation and removal of calculi, providing few complications, and more satisfaction and speed. The results have surprised urologists, patients and the entire community, up to the point where all interest in the etiological diagnosis and medical management of the lithiatic condition has been lost. Treatment, however, can only be considered complete when formation of new calculi is stopped; and progress to achieve this objective has also been relevant. The purpose of this paper is to explain the reasons for which surgical and medical management should not be competitive but complementary. Surgical procedures are directed to existing calculus, whereas medical measures focus on prophylaxis.