Extracorporeal lithotripsy and our future approach in lithiasis
Schmidt, A.; Geist, E.; Eisenberger, E.G.
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia 47(6): 601-608
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-0614 PMID: 7944603 Document Number: 436429
It can be claimed that ESWL is an optimal alternative for ablation of calculi by external shock waves. The new developments in ESWL focus more on the economic aspects of treatment rather than enhancing its efficacy or reducing the side effects. The routine indications of ESWL are well known and widely accepted. Similarly, its limitations are well defined: silent caliceal calculi, diverticular caliceal calculi, nephrolithiasis in horseshoe kidney, medullary sponge kidney and residual fragments after ESWL. Although endourology offers new, less invasive and less traumatic ways for stone ablation, such as lasertripsy, mini flexible ureteroscopes and ureteropyeloscopes, the indication for a more aggressive approach in the cases mentioned above is limited to the symptomatic cases. For calculi in the distal ureter, only the ureteroscope and intraureteral laser open new and interesting possibilities in the near future.