EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY FOR URETERAL STONES USING THE DORNIER LITHOTRIPTOR MFL5000

A total of 157 ureteral stones in 150 patients were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the Dornier lithotriptor MFL5000. Stones were treated in situ in 149 cases and with a double-J ureteral stent bypass in 8 cases due to large stone burden or failure of the preceding in situ ESWL. The average number of ESWL sessions and shock waves were 1.6 and 4,446, respectively. Multiple sessions were required in 58 cases (36.9%) for satisfactory fragmentation. At a 3-month follow-up, 91.7% of the cases treated by in situ ESWL and 50% of those treated with a stent bypass were rendered stone-free, achieving an overall stone-free rate of 89.4%. Ureteroscopic extraction or open ureterolithotomy was performed in 4 cases with an impacted stone for the removal of the residual fragments. No serious complications related to ESWL were observed. In situ ESWL is an effective and noninvasive method of treating ureteral stones. Large and/or impacted stones can also be successfully treated by ESWL with or without a stent bypass, but ureteroscopic or surgical procedures may be necessary to salvage fragments packed in the ureteral edema.