Efficacy of electrohydraulic lithotripsy in the ureter

Since January of 1983, 62 patients with ureteral calculi had their stones fragmented with electrohydraulic lithotripsy via an antegrade approach percutaneously or retrograde approach ureteroscopically. Success was achieved in 97% of these cases, with insignificant ureteral perforations noted in eight. Follow-up via intravenous pyelograms obtained in 60 patients revealed no significant persistent hydronephrosis. It appears, therefore, that the use of electrohydraulic lithotripsy in the ureter utilized with direct vision endoscopes is safe, efficacious and relatively inexpensive.