Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of renal calculi during early pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the safety of renal stone treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) during pregnancy. Patients and methods. Data from 824 women of reproductive age who were treated by ESWL were analysed and the patients surveyed using a questionnaire about pregnancies, to which 636 (76%) responded. Of these patients, six had inadvertently undergone ESWL for renal stones during the first month of pregnancy. The stones were detected and located during ESWL using ultrasonography. Results. The six patients gave birth to six children who had no detectable malformations or chromosomal anomalies. Conclusion. Although these results suggest that there were no adverse effects of ESWL during early pregnancy, a larger series should be assessed to confirm the safety and long-term effects of ultrasound-guided ESWL in the treatment of renal calculi during pregnancy. We do not advocate lithotripsy as a treatment for renal calculi in pregnancy, but inadvertent lithotripsy in a pregnant woman is not a cause for concern.