The Dornier Compact Delta: one year's experience with a new generation mobile unit lithotriptor for the treatment of renal and ureteral stones

Objectives : To evaluate the clinical results after one year's experience w ith a new generation lithotriptor; the Dornier Compact Delta. Material and Methods : The authors treated 278 patient between the ages of 7 and 88 years, presenting with ureteral stones in 49% of cases. The mean s tone diameter was 10.5 (range : 3 to 50 mm). The Compact Delta is equipped with a fixed or induced frequency electromagnetic shock wave generator Ston es are visualized by digital fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound scanning. Therap eutic centering is performed by isocentric displacement of the patient. Cor rections can be easily made during treatment An average of 3,202 (range : 5 00-5,800) shock waves were applied with a mean energy level of 4.5 (range : 1-6). Treatment was performed without premedication. Results : A feeling of discomfort or even pain was reported in 75% of cases and treated with intravenous analgesic. Ninety-five per cent of patients w ere discharged with no residual stones or with residual fragments in the pr ocess of spontaneous evaluation. This result was obtained with one treatmen t session in 66% of cases and two sessions in 25% of cases. Five per cent o f patients required a postoperative complementary manipulation. Conclusion : The combination of digital fluoroscopic and ultrasound stone d etection ensures rapid a, rd reliable localization. The Compact Delta is ef ficient and does not induce anp complications. The preliminary results with this new mobile system show an equivalent efficacy to that of the fixed sy stem with greater flexibility and improved comfort of use.