OBJEVTIVETo analyze the complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for treatment of lower urinary tract stones and identify the factors contributing to the complications.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the postoperative complications of ESWL in 83 patients with lower urinary tract stones and their association with the patients' age, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), stone features, shock wave times, and shock wave energy.

RESULTSOf the 83 cases treated with ESWL, 72.3% (60 cases) showed gross hematuria, 27.7% (23 cases) complained of pain, and 25.3% (21 cases) had both pain and gross hematuria. None of the patients reported vomiting, skin rash, flatulence, gastrointestinal bleeding or other complications. Patients with postoperative gross hematuria, pain, and both had significantly greater stone length, stone width and more shock body times than those without these complications (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Patients with gross hematuria had significantly lower height than those without complications (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe common complications of ESWL for lower urinary tract stones include hematuria and pain. The patient's height, stone length, stone width and shock times are important factors contributing to these postoperative complications.