title: Initial clinical evaluation of a new pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the clinical efficacy of the StoneBreaker (LMA Urology, Gland, Switzerland), a novel device which is much more compact and ergonomic than other current intracorporeal pneumatic lithotripters, and more powerful, generating contact pressures of up to 2.9 MPa, thereby enabling better pneumatic fragmentation and removal of stones during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), ureteroscopic stone fragmentation (USF) and vesical stone lithotripsy (VL).
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated 102 patients, comprising 49 PCNLs, 48 USFs and 5 VLs, treated using the StoneBreaker. The stone size, position, number of shocks required to fragment the stone to effect complete clearance, and degree of retropulsion were documented in each case; any evidence of urothelial trauma was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All stones were satisfactorily fragmented and all patients rendered stone-free. Very few shocks were required, and documented retropulsion was minor. There was no evidence of consequential urothelial trauma at the end of any procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The StoneBreaker appears to be a safe, effective, robust and compact device for intracorporeal lithotripsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, East Surrey Hosptial, Redhill, Surrey, UK. a.rane@btinternet.com
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rané
authors.forename: Sashi S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kommu
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kandaswamy
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Monish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aron
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Narmada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000628:therapy*