Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Procedures for the Treatment of Kidney Stones

摘要

It is to be kept in mind that 70-80 percent of renal stones need not be treated surgically. Emphasis is placed on the medical care of the underlying illness, if one exists, which predisposes to stone formation. In recent years many more methods of surgical care have become available for the treatment of renal stones. Throughout the literature there seems to be general agreement that no single method is the answer to all situations. Various combinations of treatment may provide optimum results in certain subgroups of patients. Although insufficient evidence exists today to determine with precision exactly which method is preferable for which type of stone when one considers stone size, position, presence or absence of infection, recurrence rates, or previous operations, it is generally conceded that ESWL is a safe and effective technology for the treatment of urolithiasis in the proximal urinary tract. Familiarity with all possible available methods is essential and it is recognized that a particular method may be more effective in the hands of one individual who has complete familiarity with it. Even though percutaneous lithotripsy has already become widespread, ESWL is achieving widespread clinical use in the United States today. There is an obvious need for research to determine their relative advantages in particular clinical situations.