Introduction and Objectives
To estimate the safety and efficacy of the Stonebreaker™ portable, cordless, pneumatic lithotripter for intra-corporeal lithotripsy of ureteral stones.
Material and Methods
Ninety-six ureteral stone disease patients, six of which were ESWL failures, were prospectively included in this study during an 18-month period. Stone number and position, number of shocks required for stone fragmentation to size sufficient for removal, as well as operative time were recorded for each patient. Lithotripsy was performed though a semi-rigid ureteroscope under epidural anesthesia.
Results
One hundred and four stones were treated in our patient population. Upper, mid and lower ureteral stones were located in 9 (8.6%), 27 (26.0%) and 68 (65.4%) patients respectively. Mean stone size was 1.8 cm (0.7–3.4). Mean number of shocks delivered was 29 (12–76). Stone fragmentation was achieved in all patients, including ESWL failures. Repeat ureterolithotripsy and renal ESWL due to stone migration were performed in four and three patients respectively. No evidence of ureteral trauma due to the lithotripsy was noted. All patients remained stone-free at a three month follow-up.
Conclusions
Stonebreaker™ lithotripsy represents a safe, effective procedure with a short learning-curve for the treatment of ureteral stone disease.
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Identification
Copyright
© 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
