The efficacy of early extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for the treatment of 5 to 10 mm upper ureteral stones: An observational study

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) performed in the early period (within the first 24 hours). Data of patients who underwent SWL with a diagnosis of unilateral radiopaque 5 to 10 mm upper ureteral stones were retrospectively examined. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (early SWL) consisted of patients with SWL performed within 24 hours after the onset of colic pain (<24 hours), while group 2 (deferred SWL) comprised patients with SWL performed 24 hours or more from the onset of pain (>= 24 hours). The primary endpoint of the study was planned to determine 1-month SFR in both groups. The secondary endpoint was determined to be the factor affecting SWL success. The mean age of 216 patients (130 men, 86 women) included in this study was 46.5 +/- 12.1 years. SFR within 1 month was detected in 175 patients (81%). In the early SWL group, the average number of SWL sessions was fewer (1.26 vs 1.83 P = .026) and the time to the stone-free state was shorter (11 vs 15.4 days P = .044). SFR within 1 month was higher in the early SWL group (85.5% vs 71.8% P = .036). In multivariate analysis, stone size, Hounsfield Units, and early SWL were predictive factors for SWL success. Performing SWL within the first 24 hours is highly effective in patients with symptomatic 5 to 10 mm upper ureteral stones.