Background: Although significant progress has been made in treatment techniques for renal and ureteral calculi, residual fragments (RF) persisting long after treatment pose a serious threat to patients' health. A variety of novel physical techniques and extraction devices are currently being developed to promote the removal of RF from the urinary system, and a series of in vivo experiments have demonstrated their safety and efficacy.
Summary: External physical vibration lithecbole, magnetic extraction, biocompatible stone adhesive-based methods, and ultrasonic propulsion technologies are examples of innovative therapies that can promote the clearance of RF and improve the stone-free rate. In conclusion, the physical treatment of these RF needs to be optimized and improved. They are a promising technique for improving the efficiency of endovascular urology, and further in vivo studies are needed to confirm their safety and efficacy.
Key messages: We have summarized the literature on removal of RF by physical methods in recent years, especially the new progress.
Keywords: Clinically insignificant residual fragments; Residual fragments; Stone-free rate; Urolithiasis.
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.