The combination of furosemide and intravenous hydration does not affect the success of shock wave lithotripsy in renal stone treatment: a prospective randomised single blinded trial

Objectives To investigate the effect of furosemide given before shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in patients with renal stones. Methods Two-hundred patients with renal stones measuring 6–20 mm in diameter were prospectively included in this study. The treatment group (n=100 patients) received 40 mg furosemide 30 min before SWL plus 1000 mL 0.9% sodium chloride, infused during the procedure. Standard SWL alone was used for the control group (n=100 patients). The effectiveness of SWL was compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in age, stone size, Hounsfield units, urinary pH, stone density, average number of sessions, average number of pulses or mean energy used. The stone-free rate was 69% in the control group and 71% in the treatment group (p=0.758). Conclusions Although it is an easy and safe application, no positive effects of furosemide and hydration were found.