Effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on renal function and prostaglandin excretion.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on renal function and urinary prostaglandin excretion. Twenty/ESWL patients and 20 PCN patients were studied pre-, 24 h and two weeks after treatment. Twenty-four hours after treatment PCN resulted in a fall in serum potassium, sodium and calcium. There was a small rise in urinary prostaglandin excretion. All results had returned to normal by two weeks. ESWL caused a rise in serum creatinine with a fall in calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This was coupled with a fall in urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, and calcium. There was a rise in urinary prostaglandin excretion. Serum calcium and LDH levels also rose. All results had returned to normal by two weeks except urinary calcium excretion, and serum albumin had now fallen. ESWL had more effect on renal function in the acute phase of treatment than PCN.