INTERNATIONAL SURGERY, cilt.80, sa.3, ss.271-273, 1995 (SCI-Expanded)
In order to evaluate the effects of lithotripsy (ESWL) on adrenocortical hormone levels, we prospectively compared blood ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone and DHEA-S levels of patients treated by lithotripsy and with elective operative cholecystectomy for biliary stone disease, After surgery, blood cortisol and ACTH levels were increased significantly at 16 hours (p<0.05) and returned to normal at 40 hours while in the ESWL group the aforementioned enzyme levels were elevated significantly at 16 and 40 hours after ESWL (p<0.05), The comparison of two groups at 16 hours showed no difference (p>0.05), DHEA-S levels were elevated significantly at 16 hours after lithotripsy (p<0.05) but the elevations after surgery were not significant (p>0.05). Aldosterone levels were elevated significantly in both groups (p<0.05) but the comparison of the two groups showed no difference (p>0.05). In conclusion, ESWL induces trauma to the neuroendocrine system and the duration of the response is longer when compared with surgical trauma.