Long-term Adverse Effects of Extracorporeal Shock-wave Lithotripsy for Nephrolithiasis and Ureterolithiasis: A Systematic Review

This study presents a systematic review of the published literature on possible long-term adverse effects after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Although published disagreement exists, this review finds that previous evidence supporting an association between ESWL and long-term adverse effects is weak and that the majority of studies show no evidence for any increase in post-ESWL incidence of arterial hypertension (24 of 30 studies), diabetes mellitus (4 of 6 studies), kidney dysfunction (14 of 14 studies), or infertility (2 of 2 studies). Currently, no strong evidence exists to support the hypothesis that ESWL causes long-term adverse effects.