Ultrasonic fragmentation in the treatment of male urethral calculi

In the last 8 months, 7 patients have presented with acute retention of urine due to impacted urethral stones. Four stones were in the posterior urethra, 2 in the penile urethra and 1 proximal to the external urethral meatus. The patients were managed as emergencies. Stone fragmentation by ultrasound (US) through a 24F obliquely offset eyepiece nephroscope was achieved with minimal urethral trauma. Follow-up was for 6 months and no evidence of urethral stricture or recurrent stones was found. It was concluded that US fragmentation of urethral calculi is a safe and efficient procedure with minimal complications when used in the management of impacted urethral stones.