To compare the results of two frequencies of shock waves (1 SW/1 sec. and 1 SW/2 sec.) in the treatment of urolithiasis using the shock wave lithotripsy.
SWL is the most frequent modality of the treatment of urolithiasis. The information on a better efficiency of applying shock waves of a lower frequency was proved both "in vitro" and "in vivo". After having corroborated the better efficiency of
... [Show full abstract] shock waves of lower frequency (1 SW per second) in extracorporeal lithotripsy, the authors compared it "in vitro" to still lower frequency (1 SW per 2 seconds). The still lower frequency did not result in any pronounced improvement of efficiency of extracorporeal lithotripsy. Now, the authors present the results of a study "in vivo".
The authors treated a set of 20 patients with urolithiasis of comparable size and location using the method of SWL and SW of identical intensity--20. The patients were divided into the two groups according to the frequency of the applied SW (A--1 SW/1 sec, B--1 SW/2 sec).
In the group A, fragmentation was observed in 100% after on average 3550 SW. In the group B, fragmentation was observed in 90% after on average 3100 SW, leaving of concrements was observed in 70% after on average 3465 SW.
The comparison of the results of two frequencies of shock waves (1 SW/1 sec and 1 SW/2 sec) in the treatment using SWL and the Piezolith 3000 device, did not prove any significant difference of effectiveness (Tab. 4, Ref. 16).
