Effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy at different stages of pregnancy in the rabbit

Although SWL is now the most common treatment modality for urinary tract stone disease, it is not regarded as a safe method for pregnant patients because of its potential harmful effects on fetus. Using a rabbit model, we investigated whether SWL might cause fetal injury when administered at various developmental stages. Two groups of pregnant rabbits were given 1000 shockwaves either early or late in the gestational period. Time-matched controls did not receive shockwaves. After spontaneous labor, all newborn rabbits were counted, weighted, and measured, and specimens were taken from organs and examined histopathologically. The numbers, weights, and diameters of the newborns in each group were similar. There was no notable histopathologic finding in the heart and brain specimens of any of the newborns, whereas noticeable congestion and multiple focal intraparanchymal microhemorrhages were found in lungs, livers, and kidneys of the animals that had been exposed to shockwaves early in gestation. In conclusion, this study shows that SWL is not a safe treatment in early pregnancy.