The effect of citrate replacement in hypocitraturic cases on the results of SWL: a preliminary prospective randomized study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the possible effects of citrate replacement on the efficacy of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the management of kidney stones in cases with hypocitraturia.

Methods: Forty hypocitraturic cases with renal pelvic stones were randomized into two groups; while citrate replacement has been done before and at the time of SWL in Study Group I (n: 20), SWL was performed without any additional specific management for hypocitraturia in Study Group II (n: 20). Twenty normocitraturic cases were also chosen as the control group (Group III). Data of the patients were evaluated comparatively.

Results: Patient, stone, and urinary pH characteristics of the groups were similar. Pre-SWL urinary citrate levels were 0.71 (0.1-1.3), 0.86 (0.1-1.4), and 3.12 (1.8-4.4) mmol/24 h in Group I, II, and III, respectively. Urinary citrate value increased from 0.71 (0.1-1.3) to 1.96 (1.6-4.1) mmol/24 h following replacement therapy (before and at the time of SWL) in Group I. Mean number of SW (p = 0.461), rate of stone-street formation (p = 0.146), and Double-J placement (p = 0.291) were similar in Group I and Group II. While the mean number of SWL sessions (2.27 ± 0.71 in Group I vs. 2.94 ± 0.59 in Group II; p = 0.027), and time to stone-free status [29.1 (16-47) days in Group I vs. 38.4(21-63) days in Group II; p = 0.043], was significantly different between study groups, these parameters were found similar between Group I and Group III.

Conclusions: In our study, the patients with hypocitraturia, who did receive replacement therapy, tended to require lower number of SWL sessions and became stone free in a shorter period than the others who underwent SWL without any specific management of hypocitraturia.