Long-term followup in patients with cystine urinary calculi treated by percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy.

From February 1983 through 1986, 15 patients (17 renal units) with cystine urinary lithiasis were treated by percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy. Three patients were lost to followup. Of the 13 renal units in the remaining 12 patients 7 (54 per cent) had retained stone fragments and 6 (46 per cent) were free of stones. While on medical management 7 of the 13 renal units (54 per cent) had new stones, 5 (38 per cent) remained unchanged and in 1 (8 per cent) the retained stones dissolved. The rate for reoperations was 43 per cent for the group with retained stones (3 of 7) and 17 per cent for the group that was free of calculi after percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy (1 of 6). Our study suggests that the optimal treatment with percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy should result in a patient who is free of stones.