Five-Year Follow-up of Urinary Stone Patients Treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Abstract

Follow-up studies were carried out in ESWL patients treated from February 1980 to May 1984. The ¹³¹Iodohippuran clearance studied separately in both kidneys of the first 18 patients showed no deterioration of renal function 7 years post-ESWL. Follow-up of 754 patients treated between May 1982 and May 1984 with a wide range of indications for ESWL, show stones in 55% at hospital discharge, in 16% 6 months post-ESWL, and in 24% an average of 40 months post-ESWL. The portion of particles bigger than 5 mm increased from 4% at 6 months to 47% at 40 months. Review of stone location showed an accumulation of residual stones in the lower calices during the first months after ESWL. In the long-term follow-up, the proportion of pelvic stones increased. Recurrent stones were found in 8% of patients. Between hospital discharge and 40 months post-ESWL, further urologic operations, primarily ESWL, had to be performed in 18% of cases.