Pneumatic Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy: Is It Still a Reasonable Treatment Option for Multiple Ureteric Stones?

Publisher: Karger

E-ISSN: 1423-0399|88|3|316-321

ISSN: 0042-1138

Source: Urologia Internationalis, Vol.88, Iss.3, 2012-02, pp. : 316-321

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Abstract

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for multiple ureteric stones. Materials and Methods: 36 patients with multiple ureteric stones were treated with ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL). A 8/9.8-Fr Wolf semirigid ureteroscope and pneumatic lithotripter were used for stone fragmentation. Results: 87 stones were treated with URSL. Successful fragmentation was achieved in 77 (88.5%) of the stones. The retreatment rate was 11.5%. The stone-free rate (SFR) of lower ureteric stones (93.3%) and middle ureteric stones (87.5%) was significantly higher compared with upper (73.3%) ureteric stones (p < 0.05). For patients with stones less than 1 cm and greater than 1 cm, the SFR was 91.5 and 75.0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Perforation occurred in 1 patient, mucosal injury occurred in 5 and stone migration in 5. No long-term complication was observed in any patient. Conclusions: Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy is still a reasonable treatment option for multiple ureteric stones. The procedure has high success rates with minimal morbidity. However, success rate can be affected by stone size and ureteric location.