Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for distal ureteral stones.

A retrospective analysis of distal ureteral calculi treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) as the primary mode of therapy was performed. Using the Dornier HM3 unit 312 patients underwent a total of 326 ESWL procedures. Several pretreatment procedures, including placement of ureteral catheters were used to help with stone localization. Early fragmentation and 3-month stone-free rates were analyzed. Of the patients 81% were stone-free at 3 months. We reviewed 27 failures, revealing a higher incidence of impacted stones and stones greater than 1 cm. Complications were few and minor. ESWL is a safe and effective treatment option for distal ureteral calculi.