A clinical study of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of urinary tract calculi(report of 15 467cases)

Objective To investigate the significance of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL)for the treatment of urinary tract calculi in the endoscopic era.Methods Data of 15 467 cases of urinary tract calculi treated with ESWL during Aug.1988 to Dec.2012 were retrospectively analyzed,including 85 cases of paediatric urinary calculi,46 cases of allograft renal calculi,506 cases of residual stone after endoscopic and surgical removal.The results of treatment were evaluated after 3 months of follow-up.Results After 3 months of follow-up,the overall stone-free rate was 86.7%.Repeated treatment was needed in 3 759 patients(24.3%).Post-ESWL auxiliary procedures were required in333 patients(2.2%).Conclusions ESWL is considered to be the primary treatment for urinary tract calculi at present,even with other advanced endoscopic methods for stone removal.