Objective: To treat patients with lower ureteral stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using piezoelectric, electrohydraulic and electromagnetic second lithotriptors.
Methods: Six hundred and three patients were divided into 3 groups according to the modes of lithotriptors. There were 179 patients in EDAP LTO1 piezoelectric group, 294 in JDPN IV electrohydraulic group and 130 in Dornier Compact S electromagnetic group. Every group was further divided into 3 subgroups with 10 mm, 10 - 15 mm and 15 mm in diameters of stones.
Results: The stone-free rate in single session of ESWL was higher in the electromagnetic group than in the other two groups. The efficiency quotient was lower in piezoelectric group than in the electrohydraulic and electromagnetic groups. The stone-free rate in single session was achieved in more than 70% of stones less than 15 mm in diameter for electromagnetic and electrohydraulic ESWL.
Conclusions: The overall results of electromagnetic and electrohydraulic ESWL on lower ureteral stones are better than those of piezoelectric ESWL, and ESWL is suitable for stone less than 15 mm in diameter.