Elective Treatment of Ureteral Stones with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

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Abstract
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was used as an elective treatment in 128 ureteral stones. Of the 108 with adequate follow-up, 88% were successfully disintegrated. Ureteral catheters proved to be particularly useful for more precise stone localization and as a mechanical means to push the calculi inside the renal cavities or to create a fluid interface around them, in order to increase the efficiency of the shock waves. When ureteral catheters were used a success rate of 95.5% was observed, as opposed to 82.8% when stents were not used (p < 0.05).