The effect of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy on the contractility of the human pelvicalyceal system

Objective To assess the effect of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) on the contractility of the human pelvicalyceal system. Patients and methods Contractions of the pelvicalyceal system were measured in 12 patients (mean age 55 years) before and after EPL. Pelvicalyceal pressure was measured via a Cope nephrostomy tube which had remained in situ following stone debulking procedures days or weeks earlier. All patients were treated using a Wolf Piezolith 2300 lithotripter. Results The pelvicalyceal systems of two patients were acontractile before and after treatment. Immediately after treatment, contractions were completely abolished in eight of the remaining 10 systems, and reduced in frequency in the other two. All 10 systems regained contractions 24 h after treatment. Conclusion Piezoelectric lithotripsy temporarily abolishes upper urinary tract motility.