Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for vesical lithiasis: initial experience.

The classical treatment for vesical lithiasis consists of surgery or endoscopic transurethral disintegration. These procedures require anaesthesia and hospitalisation. We report our experience with the Siemens Lithostar in 18 male patients with bladder stones. Complete fragmentation was achieved after a single session in 14 patients and 4 required 2 sessions. A 3-way Foley catheter with saline irrigation was used during treatment. Patients were treated in the prone position followed by immediate evacuation of stone fragments in 9 cases. Morbidity was minimal. Two patients developed impacted fragments and required stone retrieval. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for vesical lithiasis appears to be a simple, well tolerated and effective form of treatment.