Extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in induratio penis plastica - Development and topical ranking

72 patients with Peyronie's disease (all stages) have been treated by extra corporal shockwaves (ESW) with lithotriptor MINI-LITH SL I (STORZ MEDICAL) between 1995-1999. 3000 impulses (0.09-0.14mJ/mm(2)) were applied per treat ment (3-5 treatments) without local anaesthesia. 66% of the patients became painfree, erectile dysfunction improved in 50% an insignificant reduction of deviation was achieved in 36%. There was no significant influence of ESW in case of completely calcified plaques with angulation more than 60 degre es. Side effects were hematoma of the skin in 82% and short minimal urethra l bleeding in 6%. Serious complications did not occur. Extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) of Peyronie's disease represents a non risky but expens ive method. Despite widespread application of ESWT, results of controlled s tudies so far are still lacking. Thus ESWT to date only can be classified i n terms of healing trials.