Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of renal stones: Tawam Hospital experience

This retrospective study analyses the clearance rate of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy [ESWL] therapy for solitary renal caluli according to stone size, location and the number of treatment sessions required per patient. Two hundred and forty-eight patients with solitary renal stones, who were treated with ESWL using Lithostar-II plus lithotripter at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, between 1994 and 1998 were studied. Their medical records were reviewed and clearance rates of the stones were analyzed according to stones size and location as well as the number of treatment sessions required per patient. The overall clearance rate of ESWL therapy for renal stones, regardless of stone size and site, was 80.3%. Out of the total, 123 [49.6%] patients received more than one treatment session [average 3.5 treatments sessions per patient]. The overall clearance rates for stones according to the location, regardless of size, in renal pelvis, upper, middle, and lower calyces were 92.3%, 96.4%, 94.8% and 56% respectively. The overall clearance rate for size A [<11mm], size B [11-20mm] and size C [21-30mm] stones, regardless of location, were 93.7%, 62%, and 79.3% respectively. Minor complications were encountered in 18[7.3%] of the patients, including post-treatment renal colic [10], steinstrasse [2], skin bruises [2], gross hematuria [2] and urinary tract infection [2]. ESWL is a simple, non-invasive and effective method of treatment for kidney stones. Repeat treatment sessions, which improve the stone clearance rate, are well accepted and tolerated by patients