Tactile litholapaxy--safe and efficient.

Tactile litholapaxy is a safe procedure and is not difficult to learn. It can be used for stones up to 5 cm. in diameter unless the stone is very hard. The bladder is distended with irrigating fluid, the lithotrite passed, the jaws opened, and the lower jaw depressed against the floor of the bladder and vibrated to allow the stone to roll on to it. The upper jaw is depressed against the stone, the threads at the handle are meshed, and the stone is crushed. Fragments are crushed in like manner and are then washed out through a resectoscope sheath. It is easier to do and more efficient in both length of operating time, absence of complications, and shorter hospital stay when compared with visual litholapaxy and cystolithotomy.