The role of medical therapy in the age of lithotripsy
Selective medical therapy for nephrolithiasis is effective in preventing new stone formation. A remission rate greater than 80% and overall reduction in individual stone formation greater than 90% can be obtained in patients with recurrent nephrolithiasis. In patients with mild to moderately severe stone disease, a virtually total control of stone disease can be achieved as evidenced by the finding of remission rates of greater than 95%. Moreover, evidence suggests that selective medical therapy can significantly inhibit the risk of new stone formation or growth of existing stones in patients who have retained stone fragments after lithotripsy or percutaneous stone removal. The need for repeat stone removal may be dramatically reduced by an effective prophylactic medical treatment program.
