RENAL-FUNCTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER PIEZOELECTRIC EXTRACORPOREAL LITHOTRIPSY

We evaluated changes in renal function in 14 patients treated for renal calculi with the Richard Wolf 2300 piezoelectric lithotriptor. Each patient received, 3,000 to 4,000 shocks at the maximal recommended voltage. Each patient was evaluated with 131iodine-orthoiodohippurate renal scans performed within 24 hours before and after treatment. Changes in total effective renal plasma flow, effective renal plasma flow of the treated kidney and differential renal function were compared by paired t testing. No significant changes were associated with lithotripsy. On the basis of the renal scans we conclude that piezoelectric lithotripsy causes no significant changes in renal function, even in the early post-treatment period based on renal scan studies.