Initial experience with therasonic lithotriptor.
Piezoelectric shock wave lithotripsy has been shown to offer a low-cost, safe, anesthesia-free yet effective means of disintegrating urinary calculi. The Therasonic lithotriptor combines proprietary piezoelectric shock wave technology for effective stone fragmentation with a multi-purpose urologic table and both fluoroscopic and ultrasound imaging for accurate stone localization and real-time treatment monitoring. From December 1, 1988 to November 15, 1989, 138 patients with 172 calculi were treated (94.2% were intrarenal, 5.8% were in ureter). All stones greater than or equal to 4 mm were considered suitable for treatment. Lithotripsy was performed under intravenous sedation except when ancillary procedures were necessary. For evaluation of device effectiveness, 94 patients were available with follow-up greater than or equal to thirty days. Successful fragmentation (stone free or residual debris less than or equal to 4 mm) was achieved in 97 percent of patients. The retreatment rate for stones 0.5-2.0 cm was 11 percent, and the overall retreatment rate was 21.2 percent regardless of stone size. Complications were minimal, transient, and resolved spontaneously.
Mykulak
D J
DJ
Department of Urology, University Hospital, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn.
Grunberger
I
I
Macchia
R J
RJ
Shah
A
A
Godec
C J
CJ
Laungani
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*