title: Shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones in elderly male patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Age has never been considered as a factor in the treatment of ureteral stones, but elderly male patients may suffer from concomitant illnesses that may affect SWL results, such as voiding difficulties and musculo-skeletal and cardio-vascular disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the success rate and complications of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for all size and location ureteral stones in patients older than 70 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the charts and radiology films of all patients who had undergone SWL for ureteral stones with the HM3 lithotriptor and compared the results of patients younger than 70 years to those older than 70 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 2000-2003, 238 consecutive male patients (23 older than 70 years) underwent SWL under regional anesthesia for all size and locations ureteral stones. Stone sizes, locations, opacity, and pre-operative drainage procedures matched in both groups. The overall stone-free rate was 91% for both groups. Complications were recorded in 1% of the older patients and 3.7% of the younger ones. No treatment-related mortality was recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age itself has no effect on the success rate of SWL with the HM3 lithotripter for ureteral stones. In general, SWL treatment showed a high success rate with minimal morbidity and no treatment-related mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Rambam Medical Centre, and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israeli Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. s_halachmi@rambam.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Sarel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halachmi
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meretyk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014567:Urography