title: Treatment of lower ureteral calculi with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
abstract: A group of 70 patients presenting with stones in the lower third of the ureter was treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using a Dornier HM3 lithotriptor. For adequate radiological stone visualization a sitting position was used in 68 patients, while 2 with calculi overlying the sacroiliac joint required placement in the prone position. All but 1 patient had additional endoscopic maneuvers before treatment, consisting of the passage of a Zeiss sling around the stone in 40 and, when this was not possible, a ureteral stent in 29. The over-all success rate was 94.2 per cent (66 of 70 patients) with 3 patients having retained fragments and 1 requiring an open operation. The combination of new positioning techniques and relatively simple endoscopic maneuvers makes treatment of lower ureteral stones feasible and safe with the Dornier lithotriptor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Selli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization