Stone size and quality of life: A critical evaluation after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of the patients after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) on a treated stone size related basis. Methods: 90 patients undergoing ESWL for kidney stones were divided into three groups; Group 1 (n: 30, ≤ 10mm), Group 2 (n: 28, 11 mm- ≤ 20 mm) and Group 3 (n: 32, 20- 25 mm). During 3- months follow-up, outcome of the procedure, number of cases with emergency department visits, analgesic required, re-tretatment rates, additional procedures and the changes in the QoL were evaluated. Results: the number of emergency department visits and mean analgesic need; re-treatment rates and additional procedures were significantly higher in Group 3. Evaluation of the QoL scores in three groups showed that cases with larger stone still had lower scores during 3-month evaluation. Conclusions: Stone size could help us to predict the possible impact of ESWL on the QoL and depending on the size of the stone treated, a well planned indication and effective management possibly by an experienced urologist could limit the changes in the QoL of the patients.