[Percutaneous nephrostomy as a pretreatment in extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy].

ESWL was performed in 572 patients with renal and ureteral stones between Dec. 1988 and Dec. 1990. All the patients recovered uneventfully without any serious complications. In 6 of these patients with bilateral urinary stones complicated by bilateral hydronephrosis or azotemia, unilateral percutaneous nephrostomy was done before ESWL. We conclude that in such cases a unilateral percutaneous nephrostomy before ESWL is helpful in reducing renal pelvic pressure, improving renal function, decreasing complication and shortening the period of treatment.