Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stones. An alternative to surgery?

Four years of experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for renal and ureteral calculi is summarized. Ninety-nine percent of treated patients had a satisfactory clinical result; 90% of them were stone-free. No significant complications were encountered. We conclude that 85% of all patients with stones can be cured by nonsurgical means. Surgical and other therapeutic modalities will still have a place in the future, but an experienced urologic surgeon can best decide which of the available therapies is best suited for an individual patient.