Do not treat staghorn calculi by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy alone!

Delaney, C P; Creagh, T A; Smith, J M; Fitzpatrick, J M · Eur Urol · 1993

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

A review of 84 patients with triple phosphate (staghorn) calculi treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) revealed a 67% stone clearance at 6 months. Classification of calculi according to morphology showed a variation in stone clearance from 47 to 82%. A significant number of patients developed complications (25%) or required additional procedures (27%). ESWL monotherapy is not a suitable treatment option for most patients with staghorn calculi.

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