[Shock waves as a preventive impulse : New approaches to reducing surgical and postoperative complications, including tissue regeneration].

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has evolved from its original use in the disintegration of kidney stones to become an innovative therapeutic modality in many different medical disciplines. While the focus used to be on treating existing pathologies, the literature now shows a growing interest in both prophylactic and preventive applications. This review systematizes the evidence for prophylactic ESWT strategies to prevent or minimize complications from surgical interventions. The article covers applications in orthopedics, dentistry, plastic surgery, and wound healing.