The Lifetime History of the First Italian Public Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Lithotripter as a Mirror of the Evolution of Endourology over the Last Decade

Rafaela Malinaric, Guglielmo Mantica (), Mariano Martini, Federica Balzarini, Federico Mariano, Giovanni Marchi, Piero Tognoni, Daniele Panarello, Paolo Bottino and Carlo Terrone
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Rafaela Malinaric: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Guglielmo Mantica: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Mariano Martini: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
Federica Balzarini: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Federico Mariano: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Giovanni Marchi: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Piero Tognoni: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Daniele Panarello: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Paolo Bottino: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Carlo Terrone: IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the only non-invasive treatment for kidney stones. It does not require an operating room, anesthesia, or hospital stay. Its role evolved over the years and nowadays ESWL is slowly disappearing from many stone centers and urologic departments. We present the history and the role of ESWL treatment since its birth in 1959 and its development through the following years. We also present details of its application and impact on the first Italian stone center in 1985. ESWL has had different roles over the centuries: in the early years it was a great alternative to open surgery and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), then it had its decline with the introduction of the miniscopes. Currently, although ESWL is not considered a treatment of excellence, newer models are emerging. With the application of new technologies and artificial intelligence, this technique can become a good option alongside endourologic treatments.

Keywords: ESWL; endourology; renal stones; urolithiasis; shockwave (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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