Gerald Haupt

Influence of shock waves on fracture healing

During the last decades the influence of physical factors on fracture healing has been widely described. With the use of shock waves for the treatment of urolithiasis, a new mechanical medium has been introduced into medicine. For the first time the influence of shock waves on fracture healing was studied in rats. With fractioned shock-wave treatment (5 times 100 shock waves at 14 or 18 kV) an enhancement in healing could be achieved.

Effect of shock waves on the healing of partial-thickness wounds in piglets

During the last 20 years, the role of various physical factors in wound healing has been widely studied and recognized. With the use of shock waves for the treatment of urolithiasis, a new mechanical medium has been introduced into medicine. The influence of shock waves on the reepithelialization of partial-thickness wounds was studied in four Yorkshire piglets by a quantitative morphometric method. Wounds were inflicted either in intact skin (three pigs) or in skin irradiated with 1500 rads to achieve delayed healing. A significant enhancement in normal or delayed healing was found with low-dose treatment (10 SW at 14 kV). High-dose application of shock waves (100 SW at 18 kV) resulted in inhibition of the rate of reepithelialization of the wounds. Shock waves of intermediate energies were without effect. The stimulating effect of low-energy shock waves coincides with significantly increased vascularization of the upper dermis and thicker layer of the newly formed epithelial cells covering the wound.

Short-Term Changes of Laboratory Values after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Comparative Study

AbstractSince the inception of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 9 years ago treatment strategies have changed. Patients currently are receiving larger numbers of higher voltage shock waves. However, upper limits of safety for these treatments have not been established. In an attempt to address this question a comparative study of effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on laboratory values between 2 stone centers, Munich and Tucson, using different treatment strategies 3 to 4 years apart was done to identify possible differing effects. Patient stone burdens were similar. However, Tucson patients received almost twice the number of shock waves. Both groups showed a significant decrease in hematocrit (by 8.7 per cent in Munich and 6.4 per cent in Tucson). Both groups had a significant increase in white blood count (14.5 per cent in Munich and 22.7 per cent in Tucson). In addition, both groups had increased serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase of 43.3 and 59.7 per cent, respectivel...

Rapid Communication: Endoscopic Lithotripsy with a New Device Combining Ultrasound and Lithoclast

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endoscopic lithotripsy is still the method of choice for a number of stones, especially large stones. Various disintegration techniques exist. We investigated the combination of two of these techniques: ultrasound and pneumatic lithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fourteen consecutive patients with renal and one patient with bladder stones were treated with this new device. Ultrasound and pneumatic lithotripsy could be used independently or simultaneously. RESULTS Disintegration and stone removal was fast. The use of forceps or other instruments could generally be avoided. No complications attributable to the lithotripsy device were observed. CONCLUSION The combined ultrasound/pneumatic lithotripsy device is safe and highly effective. It reduces treatment time and enhances surgeons comfort.