MANAGEMENT OF URETERAL STONES BY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY USING LITHOSTAR LITHOTRIPTOR

In 282 patients 290 ureteral stones were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the Lithostar lithotriptor. Stones were in the upper ureter in 198 units (68.3%), middle ureter in 36 (12.4%) and lower ureter in 56 (19.3%). The average stone mass was 11.9 mm. and the mean number of shock waves was 4,913 for all levels with a mean kv. of 16.9. The average number of sessions was 1.5 for all sites. Auxiliary measures in the form of ureteral catheterization were done in 24 patients (8.5%) and internal stenting in 12 (4.25%), all of whom had upper or middle ureteral stones. Disintegration of the stones was achieved in 99% of the upper, 93.7% of the middle and 91.7% of the lower ureteral stones. However, clearance of fragments within 3 months from the last session was achieved in 94.8% of the upper, 87.5% of the middle and 91.7% of the lower ureteral stones for an overall stone-free rate of 93.3%.