Factors Affecting Success of Semi-rigid Ureterorenoscopy in Proximal Ureter Stone Treatment

To evaluate the factors affecting the success of semi-rigid ureteroscopy in proximal ureter stones.

Descriptive study.

Department of Urology, Nevşehir State Hospital, Turkey between March 2017 and October 2019.

Patients, who underwent a semi-rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) operation for proximal ureteral stones, were evaluated retrospectively in terms of gender, age, stone side, stone size, stone density, the type of lithotripsy, placement of the stone cone, the type of anesthesia and postoperative stone-free rates, which were recorded. The diameter of the ureter with the stones and the distances of the stones to the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) were measured. Patients who had stone-free status after the URSL were labelled as group I. Patients whose stones were pushed back during URSL were labelled as group II.

The distance of the stone to the UPJ was statistically significantly higher in group I (p=0.006). The rate of using stone cone in patients in group I was statistically significantly higher than in patients in group II (p=0.001). The rate of stones in the middle ureter in group I was statistically higher than group II (p<0.001). The rate of using laser lithotriptor in group I was statistically higher than group II (p=0.007).

Semi-rigid URSL is a useful technique in the proximal ureter stones.  The distance of the stone to the UPJ affects the success; and using laser lithotripsy and stone cone increases the success. Key Words: Ureteral stone, Ureterorenoscopy, Laser lithotriphsy, Pnomotic lithotripsy.