Vesical lithiasis: open surgery versus cystolithotripsy versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

We compare the different methods of treating vesical calculi to establish the most effective and safe modality. Of 128 patients with bladder calculi 5 underwent an open operation, 80 underwent mechanical cysto-lithotripsy and 43 underwent extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Severe complications included hematuria, bladder perforation and mucosal injury in the mechanical cystolithotripsy group. We find extracorporeal shock wave therapy to be a simple, effective and safe modality for the management of vesical lithiasis.