Comparison of the Effect of Body Position, Prone or Supine, on the Result of Extracorpreal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Patients with Stones in the Proximal Ureter

The aim of this study was to determine whether positioning of the patient, prone or supine, plays a significant role on the treatment of stones in the proximal ureter with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). 68 patients with proximal ureteric stones underwent ESWL. The procedure was performed in the supine position in 35 (Group 1) and the prone position in 33 patients (Group 2). Stone-free rates, repeat ESWL rates, shocks per patient and shocks per session were compared in both groups. The mean session number per patient was 1.93 ± 0.82 in Group 1 and 1.88 ± 0.79 in Group 2 (P = 0.786). The stone-free rates, three months after ESWL, were 81.8% in Group 1 and 82.9% in Group 2 (P = 0.05). Thus, these two parameters were similar in both Groups. Also, the number of shocks per session was 3066.1 ± 346.3 in Group 1 and 3148.5 ± 621.0 in Group 2. This difference was nonsignificant (P = 0.49). Our study suggests that the treatment of proximal ureteric stones with ESWL in the prone position is as safe and effective as when the patient is placed in the supine position.