WASHINGTON, DC USA (UroToday.com) - Michael Childs and his coworkers reported on the results of a survey targeted at determining the factors associated with treatment preferences for stone disease. Of the 600 urologists surveyed, they received an approximate 30% response rate, capturing academic and community practices. They found that high volume shock wave lithotripsy practices were more likely in the community, while academic practice performed more ureteroscopy or PCNL. Urologists who had more recently completed their training were also more likely to perform PCNL or ureteroscopy than ones who had more practice years. Having an ownership stake in the lithotripter was found to be associated with the decision to perform SWL over PCNL or ureterscopy, while the availability of the lithotripter or holium laser was not associated with what surgical treatment was pursued.
Presented by Michael Childs, et al. at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting - May 14 - 19, 2011 - Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC USA
Reported for UroToday by Phillip Mucksavage, MD, Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the UroToday.com Contributing Editor and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the American Urological Association.
View Full AUA 2011 Meeting Coverage
