Prognostic factors for the success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Abstract

Since its invention in the 1980s and subsequent introduction into clinical practice, Extracorporeal Shock Wawe Lithotripsy (ESWL) has dramatically changed the previous, rather invasive, approach to the treatment of urinary stones. Up to 90% of patients with kidney stones now undergo ESWL.

There has been a lot of data published on this topic over the past twenty-nine years. From this amount of evidence, we can identify the specific prognostic factors, which can be used to predict the clinical outcome of the shock wawe lithotripsy, thus providing for the better selection of patients.

Keywords

• extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
• prognostic factors
• urinary stones