Clinical Experiences of Ureteroscopic Stone Romoval for Ureteral Stones

Jeong, Yeong Bong; Noh, Joon Hwa; Kim, Sang Ik

Abstract

PURPOSE
We retrospectively reviewed the cases of ureteroscopic stone removal for ureteral stones to define the efficacy of ureteroscopic stone removal for treatment of ureteral stones.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ureteroscopic stone removal was performed in 293 cases from May, 1993 to December, 1999. We used 7.5Fr or 9.5Fr ureteroscopy and stone basket with or without electrohydraulic lithotripsy. There were 194 females and 99 males, and mean age was 45.8 years. Ten stones were located in the upper ureter, 18 stones in the mid ureter, 265 stones in the lower ureter. The stone size was less than 5mm in 104 cases, from 5 to 10mm in 143 cases, more than 10mm in 46 cases.
RESULTS
Overall success rates was 92.2 percent. The success rates according to location were 80% in upper ureter, 88.9% in mid ureter, 92.8% in lower ureter. The success rates according to stone size 95.2% in less than 5mm, 95.1% in 5 to 10mm, 76.1% in more than 10mm. The associated complication rates in URS were 13.3 percent. Complications consisted of flank pain(18 cases), ureteral mucosal injuries(19 cases), acute pyelonephritis(1 case) and gross hematuria(2 cases). All complications were treated successfully with conservative treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Ureteroscopic stone removal is a good treatment option for ureteral stones because of high success rate, minimal complications and short treatment period.