[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: benefits, limitationsand prospects].

: The article provides an overview of current approaches to the treatment of urolithiasis using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The clinical aspects of use of ESWL in patients with urolithiasis are reported; the main technical specifications of lithotripters are described; the limitations and contraindications for lithotripsy are discussed. Based on the analysis of the main barriers to successful ESWL, data on current trends in the development of this method and increase of its efficacy are presented.