Alkaline citrate reduces stone recurrence and regrowth after shockwave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preventive effects of alkaline citrate on stone recurrence as well as stone growth post-ESWL or PCNL in patients with calcium-containing stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 76 patients with calcium calculi who were stone-free or had residual stones less than 4 mm following ESWL and PCNL were enrolled. All patients were independently randomized into two groups. The treated group (N = 39) was given 81 mEq per day of oral potassium-sodium citrate (27 mEq three times a day), and the untreated group (N = 37) serving as controls. Blood, twenty-four hour urine analysi...