Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Role of External Vibratory Lithoclast (Lithecbole) in Improving Lower Pole Stone Clearance After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). |
| Authors: |
Al-Azzawi IS, Mohammad EJ, Jaffal WN, Shabaa KAA |
| Source: |
Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS [Pak J Biol Sci] 2026 Oct; Vol. 29 (6), pp. 281-288. |
| Publication Type: |
Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Language: |
English |
| Journal Info: |
Publisher: Asian Network for Scientific Information Country of Publication: Pakistan NLM ID: 101247723 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1812-5735 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10288880 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Pak J Biol Sci Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): |
Original Publication: Faisalabad : Asian Network for Scientific Information |
| MeSH Terms: |
Lithotripsy*/methods , Kidney Calculi*/therapy , Vibration*/therapeutic use, Humans ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Male ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Adult |
| Abstract: |
<b>Background and Objective:</b> Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a widely used non-invasive treatment for renal stones. However, its effectiveness in clearing stones located in the lower pole of the kidney is often limited due to the anatomical challenges that impede the spontaneous passage of fragmented stones. This study evaluate the efficacy and safety of External Physical Vibration Lithecbole (EPVL) when used as an adjunctive therapy following ESWL in patients with lower pole renal stones, with a focus on improving stone clearance rates. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This prospective interventional study was conducted at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital over two years and included 100 patients with 10-15 mm lower pole renal stones. Patients were randomized into two groups: The ESWL alone and ESWL plus EPVL. All patients received two ESWL sessions (3000 shocks/session). The treatment group additionally received EPVL therapy using a flank-applied vibration device. Follow-up was performed using ultrasound and KUB radiography. Statistical analysis was conducted using appropriate tests with significance set at p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> Baseline characteristics, including age, gender, weight, stone size and location, were statistically comparable between groups. The mean stone size was 12.4±1.7 mm. A significantly higher stone-free rate was observed in the ESWL+EPVL group compared to the ESWL-only group (66% vs. 48%, p = 0.027). Although the residual stone size showed a numerical difference favoring EPVL, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.11). Complication rates were low, mild and similar in both groups (p = 0.3). Logistic regression analysis revealed that smaller stone size (p<0.001) and lower patient weight (p = 0.030) were significantly associated with successful stone clearance. Subgroup analysis further confirmed that patients with stones <11 mm or a weight <70 kg had the highest stone-free rates. <b>Conclusion:</b> In this initial evaluation, EPVL demonstrated a safe and effective adjunct to ESWL in enhancing stone clearance for lower-pole renal stones. Its application was associated with improved treatment outcomes without increasing complication rates. Further studies with extended EPVL sessions and longer follow-up are warranted. |
| Contributed Indexing: |
Keywords: Lower pole stone; external physical vibration Lithecbole; extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy; renal calculi; residual stone; stone clearance |
| Entry Date(s): |
Date Created: 20260911 Date Completed: 20260911 Latest Revision: 20260921 |
| Update Code: |
20260921 |
| DOI: |
10.3923/pjbs.2026.281.288 |
| PMID: |
42723160 |
| Database: |
MEDLINE |