The effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the management of kidney stones: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: This study will assess the effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for patients with kidney stones (KS). METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic literature records search for studies will be conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, WANGFANG, VIP, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All these databases will be searched from inception to the present without language limitation. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the methodological quality for all included studies. Statistical analysis is performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will provide synthesis of current evidence of ESWL for patients with KS through assessing primary outcomes of overall stone-free rate, and secondary outcomes of mean stone size (mm), pain intensity, urinary biochemical variables, mean hospital stay (day), quality of life, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will provide recommendations for the effectiveness and safety of ESWL for patients with KS, which may help to guide clinician. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019157243.