THE EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL PIEZOELECTRIC LITHOTRIPSY ON THE CONTRACTILITY OF THE HUMAN PELVICALYCEAL SYSTEM

Objective To assess the effect of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotr ipsy (EPL) on the contractility of the human pelvicalyceal system. Pat ients and methods Contractions of the pelvicalyceal system were measur ed in 12 patients (mean age 55 years) before and after EPL. Pelvicalyc eal pressure was measured via a Cope nephrostomy tube which had remain ed in situ following stone debulking procedures days or weeks earlier. All patients were treated using a Wolf Piezolith 2 300 lithotripter. Results The pelvicalyceal systems of two patients were acontractile be fore and after treatment, Immediately after treatment, contractions we re completely abolished in eight of the remaining 10 systems, and redu ced in frequency in the other two, All 10 systems regained contraction s 24 h after treatment. Conclusion Piezoelectric lithotripsy temporari ly abolishes upper urinary tract motility.