[Bladder calculi. Is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy the first choice treatment?].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment of bladder stones using a retrospective study.


METHODS
Between February 1991 and June 2002, 45 patients with bladder stones were treated (41 males and 4 females). Age ranged from 23 to 87 years. 63% had previous renal-ureteral lithiasis and 29% had undergone upper urinary tract ESWL. We used the Storz Modulith SL 10/SL 20. Treatments were performed using intravenous analgesia on an outpatient basis.


RESULTS
83 sessions of ESWL were performed on 53 stones. Complete fragmentation and elimination was achieved in 55% of the patients after a single session, 26.7% of the patients after 2 sessions, 6.7% after 3 sessions, 8.8% four, and 2.2% five. Mean number of shock waves was 3196.3 with an average 7-8 Kv. 8.5% had stone recurrence due to residual lithiasis, whereas 79% achieved total elimination. 13% required endoscopic procedures to evacuate stone fragments impacted in urethra. 6.6% required transurethral prostatic resection after ESWL.


CONCLUSIONS
ESWL therapy is an effective option for the treatment of patients with bladder stones, non invasive, with low morbidity, without need for anesthesia, and outpatient. The effectiveness is high (79% of the patients stone free) and even higher when treating smaller stones.
García Cardoso
Juan Vicente
JV
Cátedra y Servicio de Urología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040 Madrid, España.
González Enguita
Carmen
C
Cabrera Pérez
Javier
J
Rodriguez Miñón
José Luis
JL
Calahorra Fernández
Francisco Javier
FJ
Vela Navarrete
Remigio
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001744:Urinary Bladder Calculi / Q000628:therapy*