"Dry lithotripsy" by a simple modification of the Chinese lithotripter KDE-1.

We report on the improved technique upon a water bath lithotripter. With a simple water balloon device added to the Chinese KDE-1 Type water bath lithotripter, an extracorporeal shock wave dry lithotripter has been developed. From June to December 1988, there were 300 cases of upper urinary tract calculi and gallbladder stone treated with this machine with excellent results and no severe complications. The improved technique would be made reference to change old water bath machines into dry (water balloon) machines.