Experiences with ureteroscopy

Thirty-nine patients underwent 44 ureteroscopic procedures between January 1985 and August 1988 for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Twenty six procedures were undertaken on 23 patients for extraction of ureteric calculi and were successful on the initial attempt in 14 (61%). Four stones not removed on the first attempt were however disimpacted and subsequently passed spontaneously, and three more were removed at a second ureteroscopy. The overall success rate therefore was 91%. Only two patients required ureterolithotomy. Ureteroscopic stone extraction is therefore an effective technique with minimal morbidity and allows rapid return of servicemen to high category medical fitness.