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Complications

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Possible complications include:

  • haematuria - common, and may last for 48-72 hours
  • ureteric colic:
    • from passage of stone fragments
    • 5-10% require further operative intervention such as the insertion of a JJ stent to permit the stones to pass
  • septicaemia - uncommon if antibiotic prophylaxis is given prior to lithotripsy
  • renal rupture - rare

Other disadvantages include:

  • expense - the initial outlay for equipment is substantial
  • poor response of hard stones - urate, calcium oxalate monohydrate and cystine stones
  • not suitable for patients with bladder diverticulae as the fragments are unlikely to pass
  • contraindicated in pregnancy - because of the theoretical risk of foetal damage

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