complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
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