Evaluating the effectiveness of different ESWL machines on nefrolithiasis

Introduction: Ürolithiasis, with its high prevalance coupled with patients getting younger and incidences rising, is among major health problems that need careful management. Among the treatment modalities, ESWL has a large standing, thanks to its minimal invasive nature, lower complication rates, shorter hospital stay and high sucess rate achieved by repeated sessions. This study aims to compare the ESWL machines used in Çukurova University hospital and Mersin City Hospital, both of which use the same electromagnetic shockwave generation technology. Method: 109 patients from Çukurova University Hospital and 152 patients from Mersin City Hospital, who were treated with ESWL between 2022 and 2025, were included. Their demographic, clinical and stone related information were retrieved retrospectively. Results:Mersin City Hospital patients' average stone volume were higher with statistical significance. When statistical analysis was done by pairing similar stone volume patients, no significant difference was observed between the success rate of two hospitals (% 53.5 vs % 44.6). Complication rates were observed to be higher in Çukurova group (p=0.007) Analysis on treatment success has shown us that patient age, height, BMİ, number of ESWL sessions, serum sodium level and urine density, stone volume and Hounsfield unit, subcutaneous and visceral fat tissue thickness, MAP (Mayo Adhesive Probability score) and complication occurence were negatively correlated with treatment success. While the presence of Double J stent were positively correlated with treatment success. Result of logistic regression analysis on these parameters showed us that presence of Double J stent (OR=3.2(1.3 8.2))(p=0.015 ), stone volume below 523.6 mm 3 (OR=4.7(1.6 13.7))(p=0.005) increased treatment success, while higher MAP score ((OR=0.2(0.1 0.6))(p=0.002)) and occurrence of complications (OR=0.1(0.02 0.55))(p=0.008) decreased it. Conclusion: It can be said that differ ent ESWL machines seem to have similar effectiveness, and choosing patients after detailed evaluation for the procedure can increase the treatment success. Keywords: Urolithiasis, nephrolithiasis, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy