Intracorporeal nonlaser lithotripsy

Abstract

Introduced in the 1980s, shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is still considered a primary treatment option. Actually,minimally invasive endourological procedures may have a similar or even major role as therapeutic options. Most of the stones requiere fragmentation and the urologist has several options of intracorporeal lithotripsy technologies. The ideal lithotripter should be usable in a variety of settings, multifunctional, with adjustable energy output, effective for all stone compositions, reusable, safe, and inexpensive. To decide which is the best alternative of the nonlaser options, it appears that the election needs to be individualized to the patient population, clinical scenario and to the physician practice. © 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited.