Results of EDAP lithotriptor treatment of kidney stones in our first fifty patients.

ABSTRACT

We report the results of the treatment of the first 50 patients with the EDAP lithotriptor at our center. The EDAP is a second generation lithotriptor that employs ultrasound imaging and piezo-electric energy stone fragmentation. Seventy-six percent of patients had kidney stones completely eliminated or residual no greater than 3 mL. Fourteen percent of patients had residual fragments which may require second treatment. Five stones showed no improvement, and 2 stones could not be imaged. Only 2 patients required anesthesia. One patient required hospitalization prior to treatment. The rest were treated as outpatients. This preliminary FDA-investigative study limited our protocol to stones of 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm within the kidney or proximal ureter. Since particles passed were so small, "steinstrasse phenomenon" (distal ureteral obstruction by stone fragments) was not encountered and routine stent placement was obviated. There were no major complications.