Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy:  our experimental and clinical experience with the Direx machine.
The Direx Tripter X-1 is a modular extracorporeal shock wave system that uses underwater spark gaps as its source for lithotripsy. Experience with 712 treatments in 541 patients has given a fragmentation rate of 99%. Of these patients, 27% had stones larger than 2 cm or multiple stones. A stone free situation at 3 months follow-up was achieved in 75% of the cases. Seventeen percent had small fragments less than 4 mm and 8% had fragments greater than 4 mm. Auxiliary procedures following ESWL were required in 7%. No major complications were seen. The advantages of this system are: modularity, mobility, flexibility, and low cost.
Department of Urology, Petah Tiqva Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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Servadio
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Livne
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Simon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017046:Cost Savings; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000628:therapy*