EXPERIENCES WITH MOBILE EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPTORS IN NORTHERN FINLAND

A total of 285 renal units in 248 patients received 424 extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatments with mobile lithotriptors fo r renal and ureteric stones at Oulu University Hospital. Treatments we re given approximately once a month (1-2 days) with 7-10 treatments pe r day. The overall success at 1-3 months was 88 % (74 % stone-free). S uccess with single renal stones was 88 % (70 % stone-free), that with multiple renal stones 78 % (62 % stone-free) and that with ureteric st ones 93 % (89 % stone-free). Retrograde manipulation appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with obstructing ureteric st ones obliged to wait for the next treatment session. The most serious complication was one perirenal haematoma requiring transfusion. The re sults compare favourably with those achieved with fixed lithotriptors and prove that mobile lithotriptors are suitable for small centres.