Shock wave lithotripsy as a primary modality for treating upper ureteric stones: A 10-year experience

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) has been recommended as a first-line treatment for upper ureteric calculi in several studies with a success rate of 80-90%. Our aim is to present our retrospective data of treatment of upper ureteric stones with SWL as primary modality over a 10-year period and evaluate the factors affecting fragmentation and clearance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1997 to March 2007, 846 patients with upper ureteric stones were treated with SWL as the primary modality. Age: 9-69 years, 546 males and 300 females, stone size: 7-22 mm. Pyuria in 132/846 with clinical infection 40/132, pre-SWL JJ stenting: 40/846 and anesthesia in 41/846 patients. Duration of symptoms: < 4 weeks- 780/846, >4 weeks- 66/846. Stone size: < 1 cm- 513/846, >1 cm-333/846. Workup: X-Ray KUB, Urine and Uro-USG. Intravenous urogram (IVU): 130/846. Intraoperative (C-arm) fluoroscopic imaging was used. Presentation: colic-801/846, incidental-45/846. Criteria for clearance: symptomatic relief, X-ray and USG confirmation. RESULTS: Clearance rate: < 1cm- 95.91% (492/513), >1 cm- 85.29% (284/333). Overall clearance rate: 91.73% (776/846). No clearance: 70/846 (8.27 %). In these, 59/70 underwent ureteroscopy, 8/70 percutaneous nephrolithotomy and 3/70 open ureterolithotomy for clearance. Post SWL complications were seen in 25 (3%) cases with septicemia in nine and stein strasse in 16 cases. Duration of symptoms < 4 weeks - 93.7% success (731/780), >4 weeks – 68.1% (45/66). Non-stented – 92% (744/806) success. Stented group–80% (32/40). CONCLUSIONS: Best results with SWL as monotherapy for upper ureteric stones are achieved when stones are less than 1 cm in size, of short duration history and without indwelling stents. Overall success rate – 91.73%.