Management of uric acid stone.

Uric acid stones are the most readily dissolvable of all types of urinary stones. By maintaining urinary pH between 6.2-6.8 with the use of sodium acid citrate or uralyt-U and reducing serum uric acid by allopurinol, we tried to dissolve 107 stones in 67 patients. Ninety three (86.9%) stones were dissolved and 6 (5.6%) passed spontaneously within a period of one year. Eight (7.5%) stones were removed surgically or with ESWL. Five (7.5%) patients had stone recurrence over a period of 3 years follow-up. Serum uric acid was raised in 19 (28.5%) and urinary uric acid in 12 (18%) patients while urinary pH was low in 46 (69%) patients. For uncomplicated uric acid stones oral chemolysis on an out-patient basis is the treatment of choice. It is simple, safe and inexpensive. However, it requires rigid compliance by the patient and strict follow-up by ultrasonography (JPMA 42: 153, 1992).