Is it mandatory to use a guidewire and to collect the stone fragments in lower ureteral calculi?

Objective: This prospective clinical study compared two different ureteroscopic lithotripsy methods for treating lower ureteral stones.

Materials and methods: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy was applied in 110 patients with lower ureteral stones between February 2007 and April 2011. The stones were fragmented with a pneumatic lithotripter. In Group 1 (n=55), ureteroscopic lithotripsy was performed without a guidewire and the stone fragments were not collected. In Group 2 (n=55), a ureteral guidewire was used and the stone fragments were collected with a basket catheter or forceps. The two groups were compared in terms of operating time, stone free rates, renal colic, and complications.

Results: The mean operating time was 17 min (range 12-30 min) and 35 min (range 25-95 min) for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Macroscopic hematuria was recorded in 3 patients in Group 1 for 30 hours compared to 8 patients for 48 hours in Group 2. Mild or moderate renal colic was observed in 9 patients in Group 1 and recurred 1-11 times versus only 4 cases in Group 2 (p<0.05). The patients were re-examined 20 days postoperatively, and no residual stone, urinary obstruction, hematuria or pain was observed in either group.

Conclusion: For endoscopic treatment of lower ureteral stones, ureteroscopic lithotripsy without a guidewire and collection of the fragmented stones is safe for experienced urologists.