Slow versus fast shock wave lithotripsy rate for urolithiasis: a prospective randomized study.

Purpose: We determined the effect of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) rate on treatment outcome in patients with renal and ureteral stones.

Materials And Methods: A total of 156 patients were prospectively randomized to receive SWL using a slow (60 pulses per minute) or fast wave rate (120 pulses per minute). Inclusion criteria were patients with a single radiopaque renal or ureteral stone not exceeding 30 mm in maximum diameter.