[Hydroposturotherapy and residual lithiasis after lithotripsy].

OBJECTIVE

The authors report the results of hydroposturotherapy on elimination of residual stone fragments after extracorporeal lithotripsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

417 subjects with residual stone fragments after one or several lithotripsy sessions, who failed to eliminate any fragments over a period of 3 to 6 months, or even 12 months, before starting treatment, were submitted to intensive water intake and appropriate daily hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy was adapted to each case and, in the case of residual lower caliceal stones, the subjects were placed in the vertical position, head downwards with the feet in the air, to facilitate migration of stone fragments.

RESULTS

The subjects examined their urine at each micturition and collected any fragments expelled. Overall, in the population of 417 subjects treated in this way for three weeks, partial or complete expulsion was obtained in 282 cases (67.6%). Stone expulsion was obtained in 218 of the 305 cases (71.5%) of residual lower caliceal stones and 64 of the 112 cases (57.1%) of middle or upper caliceal stones. Stone expulsion, when obtained, usually started by the first, second or third day of treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that hydroposturotherapy can improve the elimination of residual stone fragments following extracorporeal lithotripsy.