Ureteroscopic lithotripsy using Swiss Lithoclast for the management of ureteral stones: our experience in 200 patients

Objective: To study the efficacy of ureteroscopic management of ureteric calculi using Swiss Lithoclast in a cohort of 200 patients.

Materials and methods: The patients were diagnosed of ureteric stone on ultrasonography, radiography, intravenous urography or computed tomography. Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) was done using 8/9.8 F rigid Olympus ureteroscope and Swiss Lithoclast.

Results: Patients aged between 15 to 70 years with 94 males and 106 females. Most common presenting complaint was the pain. Hydroureteronephrosis was seen in 57%. Most patients had stone on right side. Most of the stones were 5-10 mm in size. Majority of the stones treated were from the lower ureter (72.32%). Of the stones, 91.51% were successfully fragmented. D-J stent was used in 40% patients. Operation time was less than an hour in most of the cases. There were minimal severe or long-term effects (stricture, 0.5%). Mean hospital stay was 1.54 days. Only 2% patients had proximal stone/fragment migration. Overall success rate of the treatment was 90.5%.

Conclusion: URSL using Swiss Lithoclast is an effective, cheap and reliable method of ureteric stone management. Besides, lack of any disposable components, extremely long instrument life, and easy maintenance of the Swiss Lithoclast suits well with the needs of low socioeconomic countries like India.