[Current status of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in urinary lithiasis.]

[Current status of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in urinary lithiasis.] Arch Esp Urol. 2017 Mar;70(2):263-287 Authors: Pereira-Arias JG, Gamarra-Quintanilla M, Urdaneta-Salegui LF, Mora-Christian JA, Sánchez-Vazquez A, Astobieta-Odriozola A, Ibarluzea-González G Abstract Over the last decade, urinary lithiasis' prevalence has dramatically increased due to diet and lifestyle changes, growing 10.6% and 7.1% in men and women respectively. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has lost relevance in current practice due to endoscopic device development and unpredictability of results. Instrument miniaturization is leading to an increase of the percutaneous approach of increasingly smaller stones, while most flexible ureteroscopes durability and digitalization has allowed urologists to address larger stones. So that, decision algorithm is now impossible to define, but what is clear is that ESWL has declined worldwide. Can it disappear as a urinary lithiasis treatment modality? If we don't improve appropriate candidate selection and optimize disintegration efficiency, guidelines are going to replace the more "boring" ESWL by popular and more attractive endoscopes. Shock wave technology has evolved in the last two decades, however lithotripsy fundamental principle has not changed. ESWL has passed the test of time and centers dedicated to stone treatment should have a lithotripter in order to offer an appropriate balance in differen...
Source: Archivos Espanoles de Urologia - Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: Arch Esp Urol Source Type: research