The effect of shockwave lithotripsy on blood pressure, patients’ tolerance to pain and perirenal hematoma in renal stone patients

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effect of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) on blood pressure, patients' tolerance to pain and perirenal hematoma in patients with renal stones. Patients and methods: One hundred eighty nine patients between 2007-2009 underwent SWL procedures at 4.5 and 5.5 KV with shockwaves of up to 4,000 and 5,000 shockwaves, they were followed up for post procedure pain, hypertension and perirenal hematoma. For statistical analysis, chi square test was used. Results: One hundred fifty three (81%) patients developed post procedure pain. The degree of pain was of mild that relieved by analgesia to severe that required hospitalization, increasing energy level did not increase the chance of post SWL pain while the larger stones caused more post SWL pain (p = .003). Fifteen patients (7.9%) developed post SWL hypertension, female patients and age more than 50 years found to increase the risk of post SWL hypertension. Post SWL hypertension is not affected by increasing energy level and number of shockwaves. Only one patient (0.52%) developed post SWL perirenal hematoma. Conclusion: SWL has a high incidence of post SWL pain. Females and age above 50 years are more prone to develop post SWL hypertension. However the number of shockwaves and energy level did not increase the risk of developing post SWL hypertension. Perirenal hematoma is a rare complication of SWL.