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Time to Retire Lithotripsy for Kidney Stones?

— Proponents and opponents had their say during the AUA meeting.

by Charles Bankhead, Senior Editor, 番茄社区

番茄社区 MedicalToday

NEW ORLEANS -- More than 30 years ago, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) had a highly anticipated, much-ballyhooed introduction as a nonsurgical therapy for kidney stones. Obviating the need to cut the skin or insert a device into the body, ESWL would use acoustic shock waves to pulverize stones into dust that would be washed out of the kidneys.

Things didn't quite work out as planned. Over the years, the technology has "improved," yet recent results with ESWL often have yielded outcomes worse than those achieved when the treatment was first introduced.

Is it time to retire ESWL for kidney stones? Experts in the field addressed the question during a clinical controversies session at the American Urological Association meeting. Arguments for and against ESWL "retirement" were put forth during a point/counterpoint session, and the competing sides summarized their views on camera for 番茄社区.

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    Charles Bankhead is senior editor for oncology and also covers urology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. He joined 番茄社区 in 2007.