Electrohydraulic lithotripsy of ureteral calculi: the Stony Brook experience

We have used electrohydraulic lithotripsy for the treatment of ureteral calculi in a total of 29 patients. By combining the use of a 3.0 Fr electrode and a 9.5 Fr rigid ureteroscope, we have been able to successfully treat the majority of our patients with ureteral calculi. Bypass stenting of obstructing ureteral stones aided in access and effectiveness of ureteroscopy and endoscopic lithotripsy. The success rate in our series of 30 primary treatments was 80%; failures were primarily related to stone composition. In summary, we have found electrohydraulic lithotripsy of ureteral calculi to be a safe and effective treatment modality and routinely used it for stones throughout the length of the ureter that were either impacted or too large to extract primarily.