Success Rate and Complications of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Patients Referring to the Kowsar Hospital in Semnan

Treatment with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a low-cost method with a short hospitalization period. However, several complications have been reported for this method. This study was designed to investigate the efficiency and side effects of ESWL.

In a cross-sectional study, all available files of cases in the stone crusher unit were evaluated according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria from April 2013 to April 2016. Preliminary information before lithotripsy, including patients' demographic characteristics and also treatment success, and complications, was assessed.

The success rate of ESWL was 81.4%, which had no significant relationship with gender, age, and body mass index. The mean size of the stones was 10.9±5.4 mm, which was associated with the success rate. In terms of stone location, the highest frequency was observed in the right lower calyx, followed by the left pelvis. The most common complications were ecchymosis (84.3%), hematuria (20.6%), and severe pain (15.3%). There was a significant difference in the incidence of complications in patients with different stone sizes (p<0.01). The occurrence of complications had a significant relationship with the location of the stone (p<0.01). Stones located in the pelvis and lower calyces caused the most complications.

The results showed that ESWL had a high success rate and was a suitable method for the treatment of urinary stones. The success rate was associated with the stone size, which, therefore, is an important factor in choosing this approach.