[Application of self-controlled breathing technique in respiratory gating that triggers the shockwave for lithotripsy of urinary calculi].

Objective: To review our experience with the application of respiratory gating technique in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Methods: According to the established criteria 424 patients with urinary calculi were included in this study to received ESWL. These patients were divided into three groups, in which different breathing techniques were used for ESWL: group A with free breathing, group B with basically normal breathing except for the breath-holding upon each shockwave triggering, and group C with controlled breathing acquired from preoperative training. All the patients were followed up from 3 to 6 months, during the period of which the effect of ESWL was observed and recorded for comparative appraisal of the therapeutic efficacy.

Results: The therapeutic effect significantly differed between the groups (P < 0.01), with the best effect recorded in group C (96.40%), followed by group A (83.87%) immediately before group B (86.67%), indicating that the essential difference occurred between group C and groups A and B, but not between the latter two groups. None of the patients developed serious short-term complications.

Conclusion: The application of breathing technique in respiratory gating for ESWL is safe and effective without causing serious complications.