Availability of Lithoclast in Ureteroscopic Removal of Stone

Moon, Chang Ho; Chung, Sung Kwang; Park, Yoon Kyu

Abstract

We evaluated the availability of Lithoclast in ureteroscopic removal of stone retrospectively. We treated 62 patients(68cases) with ureteral calculi using stone basket or Swiss Lithoclast lithotriptor with the rigid ureteroscope (URS) between December 1993 and February 1995. The success rates of URS were 93%(63/68), and Lithoclast use rates were 77%(52/68). According to stone site, Lithoclast use rates were 68%(28/41) in the lower ureter, 86%(12/14) in the mid, 92%(12/13) in upper ureter respectively. According to stone size, Lithoclast use rates were 50%(4/8) in less than 0.5cm, 75%(30/40) in 0.6-1.0cm, 89%(16/18) in 1.1-2.0cm, 100%(2/2) in above 2.0cm respectively The Lithoclast successfully fragmented stones. There were 5 failures of URS due to failure in access to stone by URS(4 cases), impacted stone(1 case). Reoperation consist of URS in 2 cases, ureterolithotomy in 2 cases and nephrectomy in 1 case. The complications of Lithoclast use URS were insignificant such as gross hematuria(3 cases), infection(2 cases), flank pain(1 case). There were no intraoperative or long term complications directly related to the use of this device. In conclusion, Swiss lithoclast lithotripsy significantly contributed to improve the success rates in treatment of ureteral stone, and is a safe, effective and inexpensive device.