ABSTRACT

We have retrospectively evaluated the results of patients who have undergone ureterorenoscopic pneumatic lithotripsy (URSPL) for distal ureteral stones in our clinic. We have evaluated efficiency and reliability of URS-PL in treatment of distal ureteral stones.

One hundred and thirty patients who have undergone URS-PL between October 2003 and April 2006 were evaluated. Seventy-six (58.4%) and 54 (41.6%) of the patients were men and women, respectively. Mean age of the patients was 42.9±12 (range 22-74) years. 8.5 Fr/10 Fr rigid ureteroscope (Olympus, Germany) for ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripter (Elmed- Vibrolith,Turkey) for lithotripsy were used. While 110 patients (84.6%) have undergone URS-PL as a first-line treatment, it was performed as a second-line treatment in 20 patients (15.4%) after failed shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL). Mean stone size of the patients was 9.7±2.6 mm. Stone-free and complication rates of the patients were investigated.

Stones of 125 (96.2%) patients were disintegrated successfully with URS-PL. As 124 (95.4%) of them were stone-free within one month, a second URS-PL session was required in one patient. Open surgical procedure was performed in 2 patients (1.5%), one being due to ureteral perforation and one due to ureteral avulsion. SWL after ureteral catheter placement was performed in 3 patients due to proximal stone migration (2.3%).

URS-PL is an effective and reliable method which can be used as a first-line option in treatment of distal ureteral stones.