General knowledge of urinary tract stone treatment

  Many factors influence stone formation; age, gender, race, genetics, environmental factors, dietary habits and occupation have a significant impact on stone formation. Metabolic abnormalities in the body, obstruction of the urinary tract, infection, foreign body and drug use are common etiologies of stone formation.  Urinary stones are classified into different types depending on the cause, composition, location, and transmission rate of X-rays. Clinically, stones are often classified according to their location: kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones.  Treatment options vary according to the location, size, mobility, and composition of the stones.  ①Lithotripsy includes postural lithotripsy and drug lithotripsy. Lithotripsy can be considered when the stone is less than 6mm, smooth surface, with some activity and no obstruction below the stone. It should be noted that lithotripsy drugs are still effective for cystine stones and uric acid stones, but not for stones of other components.  For renal stones and upper ureteral stones, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is commonly used. In case of complicated stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or open surgery for stone extraction can be considered.  For lower ureteral stones, Holmium laser lithotripsy or pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy under ureteroscopy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is commonly used, and open surgical lithotripsy can be considered when the stones are complicated.  For bladder and urethra stones, holmium laser lithotripsy or pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy or vigorous lithotripter lithotripsy under transurethral cystoscopy is commonly used.