Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficiency of rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy in ureteral stones.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 349 patients (356 renal units) with ureteral stones treated with rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy. Results were evaluated 3 months after treatment by using excretory urography and/or ultrasonography. Complications and treatment success according to stone localization were compared.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.2 (range 17-80). Of the patients 236 (66.6%) were male and 113 (33.4%) were female. Of the stones 271 (76.1%) were localized to lower ureter, compared to middle ureter in 51 (14.3%) and upper ureter in 34 (9.6%). The mean stone diameter was 13.6 (range 5-30) mm. The mean stone free rate was 92.4% (79.4% in upper ureter, 94.1% in middle ureter and 93.7% in lower ureter, p=0.020). Overall complication rate was 7.6% (7.7% in lower ureter, 3.9% in middle ureter and 11.8% in upper ureter, p=0.413). Most common peroperative complications of the procedure were infection 2.6% (n=9), ureteral perforation 4% (n=14), and mucosal laceration 1.1% (n=4). The most common late complication was ureteral stricture in 1.1% (n=4) of patients. Patients with lower ureteral stone were divided into two groups according to stone size; Group 1 ≤10 mm (n=154) and Group 2 >10 mm (n=117). Although statistically insignificant, overall stone free rate (95.5% vs 91.5%, p= 0.178) was higher and complication rate (5.2% vs %11.1, p=0.071) was lower in Group 1.

Conclusion: Ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral stones with pneumatic lithotripsy and rigid ureteroscopy applied in all localizations provides high success rates, quick stone clearance, short hospital stay, and low complication rates. In the lower ureteral localization, stone size does not affect the overall stone free and complication rates when treated with rigid ureteroscopy and pneumatic lithotripsy.