[Role of ultrasound lithotripsy in the treatment of lithiasis of the lower urinary tract. Apropos of 38 cases].

Between February 1989 and February 1994, 38 patients with lower urinary tract lithiasis were treated by ultrasonic lithotripsy. Mean size of the stone was 23 x 19 mm, extreme being 5 mm-50 mm (over 20 mm in 27 patients). Transurethral lithotripsy has been performed in 36 patients, and percutaneous cystolithotripsy in 2 patients. Some desintegration was complete in 37 cases, and the only failure was a case in which the stone was too hard. Morbidity was zero. Ultrasonic lithotripsy for urethral and bladder stones appears to be a safe, effective and simple method of treatment.