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Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy versus ureteroscopy for distal ureteral calculi: a prospective randomized study
R Peschel1, G Janetschek, G Bartsch
1Department of Urology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Purpose:
We performed a prospective randomized study to determine appropriate first line treatment for distal ureteral stones.
Material And Methods:
Between January 1996 and October 1997, 80 patients with distal ureteral stones (40 smaller than 5 mm. and 40 larger than 5 mm.) were randomized and treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy with a 9.5 or 6.5F semirigid ureteroscope.
Results:
Ureteroscopy was significantly better in terms of operative time, fluoroscopy time and time to achieve a stone-free state. The smaller the stones, the greater the difference between the 2 treatment modalities.
Conclusions:
For distal ureteral stones we recommend ureteroscopy as first line treatment.