P. Menezes et al., A randomized trial comparing lithoclast with an electrokinetic lithotripter in the management of ureteric stones, BJU INT, 85(1), 2000, pp. 22-25
Objective To compare two in situ ballistic lithotripters, the lithoclast an
d the electrokinetic lithotripter (EKL), both of which can be used through
the newer small-bore ureteroscopes, for their ease of use, robustness, frag
mentation time, adequacy of fragmentation and stone-free rate.
Patients and methods Forty-six consecutive patients with ureteric stones re
fractory to treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy were randomi
zed to undergo fragmentation using the lithoclast (23 patients) or the EKL
(23 patients). One patient was excluded from analysis in the EKL group, The
adequacy of fragmentation was recorded, with the degree and significance o
f proximal migration for each device. After treatment patients were assesse
d by plain X-ray and the stone-free rate was determined.
Results The mean (median) initial stone burdens in the lithoclast and EKL;
groups were 69 (50) mm(2) and 72 (52) mm(2), respectively. The respective m
ean (median) procedure duration and fragmentation time were 54 (50) min and
90 (49) s in the lithoclast group, and 50 (42.5) min and 87 (52.5) s in th
e EKL group; the differences were not statistically significant. In four (1
4%) patients of each group there was significant proximal migration of the
stones. The stones were completely fragmented in 17 of 23 (74%) patients in
the lithoclast group and 19 of 22 (86%) in the EKL group. There was no fra
gmentation in one patient in each group. In the lithoclast and EKL groups,
20 of 23 (87%) and 17 of 22 (77%) were rendered stone-free, respectively (P
>0.5), The equipment failed on two occasions in each group.
Conclusion In this randomized trial there was no significant difference in
the stone-free rate, procedure duration, fragmentation time, proximal stone
migration rate and equipment failure between these in situ ballistic litho
tripters.