Economics of urolithiasis: cost-effectiveness of therapies

The cost of treating urolithiasis with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and endoscopic surgery continues to be a significant burden on a nation's healthcare economy. Cost-effectiveness evaluations of various medical and surgical treatment options for urolithiasis is a practical method of developing rational allocation strategies for limited economic resources. In this review, the cost-effectiveness of shockwave lithotripsy and that of endoscopic surgery in the management of kidney and ureteral stones are compared. This is followed by a discussion of the cost of the medical management of urolithiasis in comparison with repeated surgical treatment.