[A Calcutript-Lithoclast comparison: electrohydraulic lithotripsy versus acoustic pressure wave lithotripsy. An in vitro study on chalk cubes].

Intracorporeal lithotripters are available in nearly all urological institutions. The authors compared the CALCUTRIPT made by K. Storz Co. and the Swiss LITHOCLAST in in vitro studies. No major difference in the efficacy of disintegration was observed after subjecting chalk cubes to the two modalities. Human tissue of the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder was exposed to both energy-sources. In the case of the electrohydraulic shock wave the authors found complete rupture of all three layers of the ureteric wall after exposure even with low energy, while tissue perforation was observed in only one of 72 tissue samples exposed to the LITHOCLAST. The authors recommend the LITHOCLAST because of its minimal invasiveness for the treatment of calculi especially in the ureter.